What Are the Functions of the Blood Vessel?
Blood vessels are a necessary part of the body's circulatory system. In the circulatory system the heart pumps the blood through the blood vessels carrying oxygen and nutrients to cells throughout the body. Cell waste needs to be removed as well. Blood vessels are a type of road system within the body.
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Arteries
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Arteries are the largest of the body's blood vessels. They branch out from the heart carrying oxygenated blood. As they move away from the heart they divide like tree branches until they are quite thin.
Capillaries
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Once the arteries have finished dividing down they connect to capillaries. These are even thinner tiny blood vessels so small that only one blood cell at a time travels through them. They take blood from the arteries to the cells and then carry used blood and waste away to the veins.
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Veins
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Veins are larger than the capillaries and contain valves that stop the backward flow of blood. They carry blood after it has delivered its oxygen back to the heart and then to the lungs to be supplied with fresh oxygen.
Common Problems
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Blood vessels are not perfect and present the body with some problems when things do not work properly. Among the common problems are high blood pressure, varicose veins, stroke and more. An aneurysm is a spot in an artery wall that weakens, forming a type of balloon shape that fills with blood. Atherosclerosis is the narrowing of arteries caused by plaque deposits along the blood vessel walls. Heart disease is the result when the blood supply to and from the heart dwindles because of the narrowing of arteries.
Keep Blood Vessels Healthy
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Healthy blood vessels will keep some of the issues at bay. Being active at least 30 minutes a day for five days a week promotes blood vessel health. This is moderate activity that increases the depth and rate of breathing, but allows for speaking normally. Eat healthy everyday with a variety of foods. Gravitate to foods that are plant-based and high in fiber. Eat wholes grains and moderate the amount of meat and dairy products, which are high in fat. Live a healthy lifestyle by limiting alcohol intake and not smoking. If you're too heavy, weight loss will take excess strain off the circulatory system.
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