CIRCULATORY

SYSTEM
3.4
 The Circulatory System
■ The circulatory system in humans is
the organ system that transports
oxygen and nutrients throughout the
body and carries away wastes.
■ It includes
– Blood
– Heart
– Blood vessels.
 Blood Volume is: 45% red

Blood
blood cells, <1% white
blood cells, <1% platelets
and 55% plasma.

■ Blood is a type of connective tissue that circulates

throughout the body. It has four components:

– Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which allows

oxygen to be transported in the body.

– White blood cells fight infection in the blood.

– Platelets help blood clot.

– Plasma is a protein-rich liquid that carries blood cells.

Heart
■ The heart consists of three types of tissue
– cardiac muscle tissue : Contracts to
move blood throughout the body
– nerve tissue
– connective tissue.

■ The speed of your heart beat is dependant

on your physical activity, stress and general
health
 Blood Vessels
■ Three types of blood vessels create a network of tubes for transporting blood in the body.
– Arteries: carry blood away from the heart. Usually found close to the bone. Due to the fact
blood is being pumped away from the heart there is great pressure that the walls withstand.

– Veins: carry blood toward the heart. These are fount closer to the surface. Veins have
valves inside them to prevent the blood from flowing backwards.

– Capillaries: The tiny blood vessels with very thin walls that allow substances to diffuse
between the blood and tissue (O2, nutrients, CO2, waste…)
Diseases and Disorders: Coronary Artery Disease
■ The most common heart problem is
coronary artery disease, which can lead to
a heart attack.
■ Coronary arteries are the blood vessels
that carry blood to the heart muscle.
■ Sometimes these arteries become
partially blocked by plaque.
– Plaque is a deposit of fat, calcium, or
other substances carried by the
blood.
– Plaque buildup can be the result of
poor lifestyle choices or of heredity.
■ When plaque buildup occurs, heart
attacks often follow.
■ When coronary arteries become completely blocked, the heart muscle no longer
receives the oxygen it needs to function.

■ The heart then stops and the tissue begins to die. Medical attention is needed
immediately.

■ Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease

– Tiredness
– Dizziness
– Pain in chest/arms

■ Treatment
– Medication
– Stents
– Transplants
Special x-ray called an angiogram
 Diseases and Disorders: Heart Attack
■ When a artery becomes blocked by either plaque or a blood clot the heart no longer
receives oxygen rich blood and is unable to function. The heart stops pumping and
starts to die
■ Symptoms
– Chest pain/pressure
– Shortness of breath
– Nausea
– Pain in upper body
– Sweating
– Dizziness
– Unusual Fatigue
■ Diagnosed with a
– blood test or electrocardiogram (ECG)
Cardiac Arrest
Diseases and Disorders: Stroke
■ A stroke is very similar to a heart attack except the blockage occures in the brain.