Overview of the Circulatory System

Consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.
Responsible for transporting nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and waste products throughout the body.

Heart
- Muscular organ that pumps blood.
- Divided into four chambers:
  - Right atrium
  - Right ventricle
  - Left atrium
  - Left ventricle
- Functions:
  - Pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs (pulmonary circulation).
  - Pumps oxygenated blood to the body (systemic circulation).
Blood Vessels
- Arteries: Carry oxygenated blood away from the heart (except pulmonary arteries).
- Veins: Carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart (except pulmonary veins).
- Capillaries: Microscopic vessels where gas and nutrient exchange occurs.
Blood
- Composed of:
  - Red blood cells (carry oxygen).
  - White blood cells (immune response).
  - Platelets (blood clotting).
  - Plasma (liquid component carrying nutrients, hormones, and waste).

Systemic Circulation
- Blood flows from the left side of the heart to the rest of the body and back to the right side.
- Supplies oxygen and nutrients to tissues.
Pulmonary Circulation
- Blood flows from the right side of the heart to the lungs and back to the left side.
- Responsible for oxygenation of blood and removal of carbon dioxide.

Transportation: Delivers oxygen and nutrients; removes waste products.
Regulation: Maintains body temperature and pH balance.
Protection: Transports immune cells to site of infections; clotting mechanisms prevent blood loss.

Diet: High in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains supports a healthy circulatory system.
Exercise: Regular physical activity strengthens the heart and improves circulation.
Tobacco Use: Increases risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Stress Management: Chronic stress can negatively impact heart health.

Cardiac Output: Volume of blood the heart pumps per minute.
Blood Pressure: Force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels.
Cholesterol: A type of fat found in the blood; high levels can lead to heart disease.

Comprises the heart, blood vessels, and blood.
Essential for transporting nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and waste products throughout the body.

Heart: A muscular organ divided into four chambers: right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and left ventricle.
Pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation (pulmonary circulation) and delivers oxygenated blood to body tissues (systemic circulation).
Blood Vessels:
- Arteries: Transport oxygenated blood away from the heart, with the exception of pulmonary arteries.
- Veins: Return deoxygenated blood to the heart, except for pulmonary veins.
- Capillaries: Tiny vessels where gas and nutrient exchange occurs at the tissue level.
Blood Composition:
- Red blood cells: Carry oxygen.
- White blood cells: Involved in the immune response.
- Platelets: Play a crucial role in blood clotting.
- Plasma: The liquid component that carries nutrients, hormones, and waste products.

Systemic Circulation: Blood circulates from the left side of the heart to the body and returns to the right side, supplying essential oxygen and nutrients to tissues.
Pulmonary Circulation: Blood moves from the right side of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation and then returns to the left side of the heart.

Transportation: Delivers oxygen and nutrients to cells while removing waste products.
Regulation: Maintains body temperature and pH balance.
Protection: Distributes immune cells to fight infections and facilitates clotting to prevent blood loss.

Hypertension: Characterized by consistently high blood pressure.
Atherosclerosis: Involves hardening and narrowing of arteries due to plaque buildup.
Heart Attack: Results from blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle.
Stroke: Occurs when blood supply to the brain is interrupted.
Anemia: Defined by a decrease in the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin levels.

Diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is beneficial for circulatory health.
Exercise: Regular physical activity strengthens the heart and enhances circulation efficiency.
Tobacco Use: Increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Stress Management: Chronic stress can have deleterious effects on heart health.

Cardiac Output: Refers to the volume of blood the heart pumps each minute.
Blood Pressure: The force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels.
Cholesterol: A type of fat found in the blood; elevated levels are linked to an increased risk of heart disease.