Overview of the Circulatory System

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Overview of the Circulatory System
The circulatory system consists of the heart and blood vessels. Circulatory disease is the
leading cause of death in America and most Western societies. Fortunately, heart and blood
vessel health has been studied extensively, and circulatory health can be improved greatly by
lifestyle and nutritional choices. Several herbs and complementary therapies have welldocumented
studies that prove their efficacy.

Heart Anatomy
The heart is a muscle composed of four chambers: the two atria (right and left) are the
receiving chambers, while the two ventricles propel blood away from the heart. The right
ventricle pumps blood to the lungs so that the blood can become rich with oxygen, and the left
ventricle pumps the oxygenated blood throughout the body. Between the chambers are valves
that ensure the blood goes to the right places at the proper times.

Your heartbeat is based on electrical impulses that originate in various nodes within the heart.
When an electrical signal is received, your atria and ventricles contract, sending moving blood
through the heart and about the body.

Arteries, Veins, and Capillaries
Blood travels through arteries away from the heart to the rest of the body, where it enters tiny
vessels called capillaries that allow blood to perfuse into all the tissues of our bodies. Blood
is returned to the heart via veins. Unlike arteries, veins may have valves to aid in the blood
return to the heart.
The circulation to and from the lungs, called pulmonary circulation, is a specialized process.
There are also specialized vessels that provide circulation to the heart itself.

Requirements and Risk Factors for Circulatory Health
For blood to flow freely, the heart must be a strong pump and the electrical system must be
functioning properly for the heartbeat to be rhythmic and effective. The heart needs to beat a
proper rate to allow filling and emptying of the four chambers. In addition, blood vessels need
to be strong, flexible, smooth, and unobstructed in order for blood to flow properly.
The circulatory system is closely linked with every other system of the body, especially the
renal system. Circulatory health is based upon several factors, many of which can be modified
so that you can improve your health.

Risk Factor 1: Diet
Diets rich in saturated fats, processed foods, and salt wreak havoc with the circulatory system.
Fortunately, this is an area that herbs and other nutritional choices can be implemented for
improving your health.

Risk Factor 2: Stress
Relieving stress through meditation, spiritual support, and healthy relationships all benefit
cardiac and circulatory health. People with type-A personalities are at higher risk for
circulatory disease. Fortunately, coping skills can be learned at any age.

Risk Factor 3: Exercise
Inactivity increases the risk of heart and circulatory problems. Regular exercise helps prevent
obesity, which is another risk factor for heart disease. In addition, regular exercise helps the
body to utilize insulin and blood glucose more efficiently. Diabetics have a higher risk of
developing circulation problems. Thus, the control of diabetes is essential for good cardiac
health. Herbs are an important part of any health program to reverse diabetes.

Risk Factor 4: Genetics
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Heredity is a risk factor that cannot be changed. It’s a very important factor, but keep in mind
that it’s only one of several.

Risk Factor 5: Smoking
Smoking stresses the blood vessels. Nicotine constricts the arteries, causing an increase in
blood pressure. Carbon monoxide from smoking decreases the amount of essential oxygen in
the blood. And then there are all the carcinogens found in tobacco smoke and cigarettes. It’s
mind-boggling to know that with every puff, you’re exposing your body’s cells to hundreds of
them at one time!

Risk Factor 6: Age
Aging increases the accumulation of wear and tear that our body has sustained. It’s a factor that
we cannot control; we can, however, control how well we age, no matter what the date is on
our birth certificate. By controlling the oxidation rate in the body, you can slow aging (in fact,
there’s a test for oxidative stress you can have performed that tells you how well you’re
aging). When you lower your body’s oxidative stress level with antioxidants, you can slow
aging. Thus, herbs high in antioxidants are helpful in this regard.

Risk Factor 7: Gender
Heart attacks and circulatory disease used to be more prevalent in males, but in recent years
the disparity of circulatory problems between the sexes has become more balanced. Due to a
drop in certain hormones, women are more prone to experience heart attacks after menopause
than before.

Fortunately, there is much known about circulatory health and illnesses. We live at a time
when we can choose some very effective strategies to improve and maintain excellent
circulatory health. Advertisement