THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

I.-BASIC PARTS:

The circulatory system touches every organ and system in your body

1.- HEART:

Is an amazing organ. The heart beats about 3 BILLION times during an average lifetime. It is a muscle about the size of your fist. It is located in the center of your chest, slightly to the left. It's job is to pump and to keep your blood moving throughout your body.

2.- BLOOD VESSELS

• Veins: carry blood to the heart. Major veins include the external and internal jugular veins, which bring blood from the brain back to the heart, and the subclavian veins that run down each side of the body. 

• Arteries: carry oxygenated blood from the heart to other parts of the body. There are twenty major arteries, including the carotid arteries (in the neck), the axillary artery (in the arm), femoral artery (in the thigh), and the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. 

• Capillaries: connect veins and arteries. Nutrients, gases and wastes pass through capillary walls into the blood.

Oxygenated blood is carried out to your body through blood vessels that decrease in size from arteries to arterioles to capillaries. Once the oxygen is used up, the blood returns to the heart through venules (small blood vessels) and veins. All together, these blood vessels extend for 60,000 miles inside your body.

3.- BLOOD:

The blood is an amazing substance that is constantly flowing through our bodies.

• Your blood is pumped by your heart.
• Your blood travels through thousands of miles of blood vessels right within your own body.
• Your blood carries nutrients, water, oxygen and waste products to and from your body cells.
• A young person has about a gallon of blood. An adult has about 5 quarts.
• Your blood is not just a red liquid but rather is made up of liquids, solids and small amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

• Blood Cells:

• Plasma: liquid part of the blood.
• Platelets: form clots to stop bleeding.
• Red blood cells: carry oxygen.
• White blood cells: fight infections.

II.- ITS ROLE

1. Carries nutrients around the body.The circulatory system and its fluids are very important for your digestive system, that has absorbed nutrients from your food. 
2. Transports oxygen and carbon dioxide, hormones, antibodies and waste products.Every cell that needs oxygen needs access to the fluids in your circulatory system.Hormones created by your endocrine system are sent through the body by the circulatory system.
3. Maintains a constant internal environment (e.g. ions and pH)
4. Distributes heat
5. Removes toxins and pathogens

The function of the circulatory system is to deliver oxygen and nutrients to your body and remove carbon dioxide and waste products through a system of veins, arteries, and smaller blood vessels.

III.-COMMON PROBLEMS

The four most common problems that might happen in your circulatory system are:

• Heart disease (which includes coronary artery disease and heart attack) – Heart disease can result in a heart attack if your heart is not getting enough blood.
• Heart failure  – occurs when your heart becomes too weak to pump blood effectively.
• High blood pressure – is too much pressure inside your arteries, which can result in kidney failure or other heart health issues.
• Stroke – is brain damage that happens if an artery in your brain gets blocked, causing decreased flow. 

IV.- PREVENTION

It is your job to keep your heart healthy and there are three main things you need to remember in order to keep your heart healthy.

1. Exercise on a regular basis. Get outside and play. Keep that body moving (walk, jog, run, bike, skate, jump, swim).
2. Eat Healthy. Remember the Food Pyramid and make sure your eating your food from the bottom to top.
3. Don't Smoke! Don't Smoke! Don't Smoke! Don't Smoke! Don't Smoke! 

For more information, I recommend:


THE COMPLETE EXPLANATION ABOUT OUR CIRCULATORY SYSTEM, ITS FUNCTIONS AND WORKS ON OUR BODY:  http://youtu.be/oE8tGkP5_tc

Lucas González