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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Cardiovascular System Physiology
Introduction
The cardiovascular system (CVS) is responsible for delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues and removing waste products. It consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood. Understanding CVS physiology is crucial for diagnosing and managing cardiovascular diseases.
Components of the Cardiovascular System
1. The Heart
The heart functions as a pump and consists of four chambers: - Right atrium (RA): Receives deoxygenated blood from the body. - Right ventricle (RV): Pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs. - Left atrium (LA): Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs. - Left ventricle (LV): Pumps oxygenated blood to the body.
2. Blood Vessels
Blood vessels distribute blood throughout the body and are classified into: - Arteries: Carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart (except the pulmonary artery). - Veins: Return deoxygenated blood to the heart (except the pulmonary vein). - Capillaries: Facilitate exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste between blood and tissues.
3. Blood Circulation
There are two main circulatory loops: - Pulmonary circulation: Blood flows from the RV to the lungs and back to the LA. - Systemic circulation: Blood flows from the LV to the body and back to the RA.
Cardiac Cycle
The cardiac cycle consists of two main phases: - Systole: Contraction phase where blood is ejected from the heart. - Diastole: Relaxation phase where the heart fills with blood.
Regulation of the cardiac cycle involves electrical and mechanical coordination.
Electrical Activity of the Heart
The heart has an intrinsic electrical system that generates and controls heartbeat: - Sinoatrial (SA) node: The natural pacemaker of the heart. - Atrioventricular (AV) node: Delays the impulse before passing it to the ventricles. - Bundle of His and Purkinje fibers: Ensure coordinated ventricular contraction.
Blood Pressure and Its Regulation
Blood pressure (BP) is the force exerted by circulating blood on vessel walls. It is regulated by multiple mechanisms: - Cardiac output (CO): Product of heart rate and stroke volume. - Peripheral resistance: Resistance in blood vessels, mainly affected by vessel diameter. - Neural and hormonal control: Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), and other hormonal mechanisms.
Clinical Relevance
Understanding CVS physiology helps in diagnosing and managing conditions such as: - Hypertension (high blood pressure) - Heart failure - Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) - Coronary artery disease
Summary
- The cardiovascular system ensures blood circulation to sustain life.
- The heart, blood vessels, and regulatory mechanisms work together.
- Any disturbance in this system can lead to severe health issues, requiring timely medical intervention.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements
- https://www.heart.org/
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-statements
- https://cpr.heart.org/en/resuscitation-science/cpr-and-ecc-guidelines
- https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/34/3227/6358713
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/44/39/4043/7238227
- https://www.escardio.org/
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.