An Introduction to the Cardiovascular System

heart systemThe cardiovascular system is a complex part of the body that is absolutely critical to its health and longevity. A weak and abused cardiovascular system will succumb to disease and injury far easier than a well-treated body.

What Is the Cardiovascular System Overall?
The heart, blood vessels, and blood make up the entirety of the cardiovascular system. Its purpose is to transport nutrients, hormones, cellular waste, and of course, oxygen, around the body. The heart, no bigger than a closed fist, is responsible for keeping the entire system moving by pumping at least five liters of blood throughout the body every passing minute. When the heart can no longer keep up with its task of moving blood, the cardiovascular system begins to stumble.

Lesser Known Jobs of the Cardiovascular System

Most people associate the heart with pumping blood, but not as many people realize that the cardiovascular system is also in charge of fighting disease and maintaining a stable internal environment, also called homeostasis, by regulating temperature and pH levels.

The cardiovascular system is able to fight disease by providing the body with white blood cells that fight pathogens and other intruders in the body. Other parts of the blood like platelets and red blood cells help seal wounds with scabs to prevent additional bacteria from entering, and the antibodies in blood know to attack pathogens to provide immunity.

In terms of homeostasis, blood vessels actually help determine body temperature since they control how much blood flows to the skin’s surface. Blood vessels are triggered to open when the body is overheated in order to disperse the extra heat and constrict when the body is very cold in order to send blood to the most vital organs as a survival technique. In addition, blood supports the body’s quest to achieve a balanced pH level with its supply of bicarbonate ions.

The cardiovascular system is so important to the body that it definitely needs to be given some TLC every so often!