Circulatory system is one of the most vital systems in the human body. Blood flow is constant and without it you find no breath you inhale, no steps you take, no thoughts you can think, which is processed by the brain. This is a system that runs on your heart and is supported by blood vessels of different sizes to ensure that organs in your body work by supplying them with oxygen and nutrients and removing waste products. To have a clue of how this system operates it can be a good place to start by understanding the structure of the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries that run throughout the body.
This article breaks blood circulation in a demystified way and offers the picture of how cardiovascular well-being influences the overall well-being. Clearly described and organized explanations will provide the readers with an understanding of why having a healthy heart is essential to long-term health and the direct impact of lifestyle choices on the system performance.
Understanding the Circulatory System
The circulatory system consists of heart, blood vessels and blood. These two components operate together as a unit to provide the tissues with oxygen and food and eliminate carbon dioxide and waste products. The system may be referred to as comprising two major circuits:
- Systemic circulation: is the circulation of oxygenated blood around the body.
- Pulmonary circulation: which replenishes the oxygen on the blood in the lungs.
The two circuits rely on the pumping action of the heart which is continuous.
The Heart: The Engine of Life
The heart is a muscular organ in the size of a clenched fist. This is located slightly to the left of the chest, and it is safeguarded by the rib cage. It is very small, however, and does a great work: it pumps out almost 7,500 liters of blood daily. Its structure enables it to have a constant, regular contraction cycle to keep it alive.
The Structure of the Heart
The circulation of blood requires one to know the structure of the heart. The heart is a four-chambered structure:
- Right Atrium
- Right Ventricle
- Left Atrium
- Left Ventricle
All chambers play a different role during blood circulation.
Right Atrium and Right Ventricle.
Deoxygenated blood collected in the body enters the right atria through two great veins the superior and the inferior vena cava. Contraction of the right atria forces blood into the ventricle of the right side.
This blood is then pumped onwards by the right ventricle into the pulmonary arteries and to the lungs where the blood releases carbon dioxide and takes in oxygen.
Left Atrium and Left Ventricle.
In the lungs, blood returns to lungs and is pumped into blood of the left atria with oxygen. Here, a blood stream enters the left ventricle which is the most powerful and thickest cardiac chamber. The left ventricle provides the force necessary to pump the blood in the aorta and into the systemic circulation.
Heart Valves: Ensuring One Way Flow
The heart has four valves which do not allow the backward flow of the blood:
- Tricuspid valve
- Pulmonary valve
- Mitral valve
- Aortic valve
These valves open and close in a sequence depending on the contractions of the heart so that the heart chambers are filled with blood flowing in one direction only.
The Heart’s Electrical System
Being able to beat rhythmically is a result of an internal electrical system in the heart. The natural pacemaker is the sinoatrial SA node that is based in the right atria. It produces electrical signals propagating along the atria leading to their contraction. This signal is next sent to the atrioventricular (AV) node and into the ventricles causing a synchronized heartbeat.
Arteries: High Pressure Highways for Oxygen Rich Blood
The arteries are thick blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood that is supplied to the body by heart. Their walls have smooth muscle and elastic tissue and can withstand the high pressure produced by the left ventricle.
The Aorta: The Body’s Main Artery
Aorta is the body artery which is largest. It divides into smaller arteries which deliver blood to the head, limbs, organs and tissues.
Structure and Function of Arteries
Arteries have three layers:
- Tunica intima: the inner layer.
- Tunica media: a middle muscular layer.
- Tunica externa: the outer protective one.
This plexus structure assists arteries to be strong and elastic. As the heart contracts, blood flows forcefully into the arteries where they are forced to stretch to allow the surge, and thereafter recoil in order to keep the blood flowing.
Veins: The Low Pressure Return Pathways
The deoxygenated blood is forced back into the heart with the help of the veins. The veins are not as pressure-dependent as arteries and have other structural features.
Valves in Veins
Because blood in the veins tends to go against gravity i.e. when a person is standing up on his legs, veins have valves that do not allow the blood to go backwards. The valves play a vital role in ensuring that there is a constant flow of blood back to the heart.
The Superior and Inferior Vena Cava
The two veins are large veins which receive the entire body:
- superior vena cava blood goes back into the upper part of the body.
- The lower body is supplied with blood via inferior vena cava.
They both drain into the right atrium, and the systemic circulation is complete.
Capillaries: The Exchange Points of the Circulatory System
The most minute blood vessels are the capillaries. Their walls are very thin and a single cell in thickness enabling the exchange of the gases, nutrients and waste products between blood and the tissues.
How Capillaries Work
When the blood rich in oxygen passes through the capillaries:
- The blood delivers oxygen to the tissues.
- Diffusion of carbon dioxide out of tissues to blood takes place.
This is the exchange required in cellular respiration. In its absence, cells would not get energy and they would be unable to get rid of waste products.
How Blood Circulates Through the Body
Circulation implies tracking the blood along the two great circuits.
Pulmonary Circulation: Reestablishing Oxygen Dynamics.
- The deoxygenated blood flows into the right atrium.
- It empties into the right ventricle.
- It is pumped to the lungs arteries by the right ventricle.
- Blood travels to the lungs
- The carbon dioxide is eliminated, and the oxygen is up-taken in the lungs.
- Blood that is rich in oxygen goes to the left atrium.
Systemic Circulation: Transportation of Oxygen and Nutrition.
- The blood that is oxygenated is exchanged to the left ventricle by the left atrium.
- It is pumped to the aorta by the left ventricle.
- Blood passes along the arteries, arterioles and through capillaries.
- Tissues are provided with nutrients and oxygen.
- Carbon dioxide and waste are gathered in blood.
- Blood that contains no oxygen is pumped back into the heart through veins into the right atrium.
This is an ongoing loop, and all the body systems are provided with the resources they require.
The Circulatory System and its benefits to the body.
Transportation of Oxygen and Nutrients
Blood flow is essential in every cell of the body. The oxygen is carried to the body by red blood cell carrying oxygen attached to haemoglobin and the nutrients are carried by the plasma like glucose, amino acids and vitamins.
Removing Waste Products
Transportation of carbon dioxide, urea and metabolic by-products occurs off-tissue and to organs that are part of the elimination like the lungs and kidneys.
Controlling Body temperature.
Blood assists in maintaining the temperature through redistribution of heat. Blood vessels promoting the release of heat can be opened close to the skin when the body overheats.
Protecting the Body
The white blood cells are the circulation throughout the blood and are used to combat infection. Platelets assist in sealing the wounds through the formation of blood clots.
Why Heart Health Makes a Difference in the Whole Body.
Since the whole circulatory system depends on the heart, any impairment of the heart functions incurs all the organs.
Reduced Blood Flow
Diseases like coronary artery disease cause narrowing of the arteries and reduce the amount of blood. Lack of sufficient oxygen in tissues leads to poor performance or destruction of tissues.
Increased Blood Pressure
Blood pressure causes the heart to strain more and ruins the walls of the vessels. This risk is increased overtime leading to stroke, kidney and heart failure.
Poor Circulation
Some of the symptoms that may be a result of poor circulation include numbness, fatigue, slow healing and swelling. Extra severe cases can lead to tissue damage.
Healthy Lifestyle Behavior’s that affect Cardiovascular Health.
Healthy Eating
The diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins promotes the health of the heart. Too much salt, sugar and saturated fats impose stress on the cardiovascular system.
Regular Physical Activity
Physical activity enhances the heart, improves circulation, lowers blood pressure, and healthy cholesterol.
Avoiding Tobacco
Smoking harms the blood vessels, decreases oxygen carrying and plaque formation in the arteries.
Managing Stress
Chronic stress increases blood pressure and is a cause of unhealthy lifestyle habits. The methods of relaxation reduce cardiovascular burden.
Frequent Checkups
Regular check-ups will assist in early screening of the risk factors so as to preventive treatment.
Conclusion
The circulatory system is a marvellous system that helps in all areas of human life. Knowing the anatomy of the heart, the functions of the arteries, veins and capillaries and the flow of blood in the body, one can see how important cardiovascular health is. The heart labor’s hard and the decision made by people in their day to day lives such as what to eat and what to do can either build or undermine this vital organ.
A body is healthy with a healthy heart. Knowing the working principle of the circulatory system will enable people to make wise choices towards their whole life.
