The heart is a pump, usually beating about 60 to times per minute. With each heartbeat, the heart sends blood throughout our bodies, carrying oxygen to every cell.
After delivering the oxygen, the blood returns to the heart. The heart then sends the blood to the lungs to pick up more oxygen. This cycle repeats over and over again.
The circulatory system is made up of blood vessels that carry blood away from and towards the heart. Arteries carry blood away from the heart and veins carry blood back to the heart. The circulatory system carries oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to cells, and removes waste products, like carbon dioxide. These roadways travel in one direction only, to keep things going where they should. Two valves also separate the ventricles from the large blood vessels that carry blood leaving the heart:.
The heart gets messages from the body that tell it when to pump more or less blood depending on a person's needs. For example, when you're sleeping, it pumps just enough to provide for the lower amounts of oxygen needed by your body at rest.
But when you're exercising, the heart pumps faster so that your muscles get more oxygen and can work harder. How the heart beats is controlled by a system of electrical signals in the heart. The sinus or sinoatrial node is a small area of tissue in the wall of the right atrium. It sends out an electrical signal to start the contracting pumping of the heart muscle. This node is called the pacemaker of the heart because it sets the rate of the heartbeat and causes the rest of the heart to contract in its rhythm.
These electrical impulses make the atria contract first. This can cause angina or a heart attack , which will require emergency medical attention. The most common symptom of heart attack or angina is chest pain. When the supply of blood to part of the brain is interrupted because of a blocked or burst artery, a person will have a stroke. A stroke is also an emergency and will require urgent medical treatment.
Read more about heart problems and cardiovascular health here. As your heart pumps blood into your arteries, the blood pushes against the artery walls. This is what determines your blood pressure. High blood pressure , also known as hypertension, can raise your risk of cardiovascular disease. It is the most common condition of the circulatory system. Low blood pressure , also known as hypotension, is a sign of good health for some people but can be a problem for others. If you have symptoms of low blood pressure, such as dizziness or fainting, you should see a doctor.
Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. Blood is pumped around your body through a network of blood vessels.
Your heart and these blood vessels make up the circulatory system. Read more on WA Health website. Read more on Better Health Channel website. Your heart is a muscle that pumps blood to all parts of your body. The blood gives your body the oxygen and nourishment it needs to work properly.
Read more on Heart Foundation website. Cardiovascular Disease is a general term to describe those disorders that affect the heart or the vascular system. A stroke is when a blood vessel that supplies the brain with oxygen and nutrients is blocked. When this happens, cells in your brain begin to die off. Circulatory system issues are best treated as early as possible. Your doctor can help monitor your cardiovascular health, as well as your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Call or seek immediate medical attention if you experience signs of a heart attack or stroke. Signs of a heart attack can include:. Signs of a stroke include:. Your circulatory system is made up of your heart and an intricate network of blood vessels. The purpose of this system is to keep all the cells in your body supplied with fresh oxygen and nutrients while removing carbon dioxide and other waste products.
Several different types of conditions can affect your circulatory system. Many of these conditions involve some type of blood vessel blockage, which can lower oxygen delivery to vital organs.
There are steps you can take to keep your circulatory system as healthy as possible. Some key steps include getting regular exercise, eating heart-healthy foods, not smoking, and maintaining a moderate weight. Regular visits to your doctor can also help identify and treat any potential problems before they become more serious issues.
Read this article in Spanish. Experts say there are a number of ways to make it easier to go to bed at a proper time, including when you exercise and when you eat. Left bundle branch block is a condition in which there's slowing along the electrical pathway to your heart's left ventricle.
Ejection fraction is a test that's used to determine the percentage of blood that leaves your left ventricle each time your heart beats. What are your concerns? Related Articles. Capillary Structure and Function in the Body. The Anatomy of the Coronary Sinus. The Heart: Anatomy, Function, and Conditions. The Role of Arteries in the Circulatory System. What is Heart Failure?
Left Heart Failure. Right Ventricle Anatomy, Function, and Dysfunction. Understanding the 11 Body Organ Systems.
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