An Introduction to the Cardiovascular SystemThe cardiovascular system can be thought of as the transport system of the body. This system has three main components: the heart, the blood vessel and the blood itself. The heart is the system’s pump and the blood vessels are like the delivery routes. Blood can be thought of as a fluid which contains the oxygen and nutrients the body needs and carries the wastes which need to be removed. The following information describes the structure and function of the heart and the cardiovascular system as a whole. Show
Structure and Function of the HeartFunction and Location of the Heart
The body is then able to use the oxygen in the blood to carry out its normal functions. This blood will again return back to the heart through the veins and the cycle continues. Book your health appointments onlineFind and instantly book your next health appointment with Healthengine Find health practitioners What is the Cardiac Cycle?The cardiac cycle is the sequence of events that occurs in one complete beat of the heart. The pumping phase of the cycle, also known as systole, occurs when heart muscle contracts. The filling phase, which is known as diastole, occurs when heart muscle relaxes. At the beginning of the cardiac cycle, both atria and ventricles are in diastole. During this time, all the chambers of the heart are relaxed and receive blood. The atrioventricular valves are open. Atrial systole follows this phase. During atrial systole, the left and right atria contract at the same time and push blood into the left and right ventricles, respectively. The next phase is ventricular systole. During ventricular systole, the left and right ventricles contract at the same time and pump blood into the aorta and pulmonary trunk, respectively. In ventricular systole, the atria are relaxed and receive blood. The atrioventricular valves close immediately after ventricular systole begins to stop blood going back into the atria. However, the semilunar valves are open during this phase to allow the blood to flow into the aorta and pulmonary trunk. Following this phase, the ventricles relax that is ventricular diastole occurs. The semilunar valves close to stop the blood from flowing back into the ventricles from the aorta and pulmonary trunk. The atria and ventricles once again are in diastole together and the cycle begins again. Components of the HeartbeatThe adult heart beats around 70 to 80 times a minute at rest. When you listen to your heart with a stethoscope you can hear your heart beat. The sound is usually described as “lubb-dupp”. The “lubb” also known as the first heart sound, is caused by the closure of the atrioventricular valves. The “dupp” sound is due to the closure of the semilunar valves when the ventricles relax (at the beginning of ventricular diastole). Abnormal heart sounds are known as murmurs. Murmurs may indicate a problem with the heart valves, but many types of murmur are no cause for concern. (For more information see: (see Valvular Heart Disease) The ElectrocardiogramThe heart has an inbuilt rhythm of contraction and relaxation. A small group of heart muscle cells called the pacemaker help achieve this. The pacemaker generates an electrical impulse which spreads over the atria, making them contract. This impulse then spreads to the ventricles, causing them to contract. The electrical changes that spread through the heart can be detected at the surface of the body by an instrument called the electrocardiograph. Electrodes are placed in a number of positions over the chest and the electrical changes are recorded on moving graph paper as an electrocardiogram (ECG). Effects of Aging on the Heart in Men and WomenAs a part of the normal aging process a number of changes occur to the cardiovascular system.
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What are the 3 main components of the cardiovascular system?The parts of your circulatory system are your: Heart, a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout your body. Blood vessels, which include your arteries, veins and capillaries. Blood, made up of red and white blood cells, plasma and platelets.
What are the components of cardiovascular system and their function?Your heart and blood vessels, the parts of the cardiovascular system, are important because they bring oxygen, nutrients and other good things to every cell in your body. They also take away carbon dioxide and waste. This supply of nutrients and the removal of waste is the main function of the cardiovascular system.
What does the cardiovascular system contains?The cardiovascular system consists of the heart and blood vessels. The blood vessels include arteries and veins. The heart pumps blood from the lungs out to the rest of the body. The blood vessels deliver oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and carry waste products to the organs responsible for elimination.
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