What Is Healthy Blood Circulation?
Healthy blood circulation is essential for a healthy body. Every cell in the body needs to receive oxygen and nutrients. Blood rich in oxygen is sent to organs, tissues and cells to nourish them, and waste products are disposed of through the same system. The heart, lungs and blood vessels work together to complete circulation. The two major pathways are cardiopulmonary and systemic circulation. There are three specialized routes: coronary, portal and fetal circulation. The body cannot function well without a strong circulatory system.
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Cardiopulmonary Circulation
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Blood circulates from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart in cardiopulmonary circulation. Blood that has picked up carbon dioxide and other waste products is pumped into the right side of the heart, then enters the lungs, which will expel the carbon dioxide. The blood will absorb oxygen that needed by cells throughout the body. The now oxygenated blood will enter the left side of the heart. This is how the body maintains the proper amount of oxygen and eliminates waste in the blood supply.
Systemic Circulation
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The left side of the heart pumps the oxygenated blood to the body tissues. The blood travels through the aorta to all the body tissues and organs, carrying much-needed oxygen. The cells use this oxygen to function. The cells of the body also produce waste products such as carbon dioxide, which must be removed. The blood that dropped off the oxygen is now able to pick up the waste products and carry them away from the cells and back to the heart to be sent to the lungs and expelled. This circulatory route is absolutely vital because it is the way body tissues receive oxygen and eliminate waste.
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Specialized Circulation
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There are three specialized circulatory routes in the body. Coronary circulation brings blood from the heart to the muscular layer of the heart wall. This gives the muscles the oxygen necessary to be able to pump the blood. It also carries away the carbon dioxide waste. Portal circulation takes blood from the digestive system and brings it to the liver. This helps the body keep its glucose concentration in the correct range. Fetal circulation is the route by which a fetus receives oxygen and nutrition from the mother's bloodstream and only occurs in pregnant women.
Aging
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Circulation is affected by aging. As the body ages, the arteries lose some of their elasticity and become less pliable and smaller. This causes the heart to work harder to push the blood through the arteries to the body, resulting in decreased blood flow to the organs such as the brain, as well as an increase in blood pressure. Veins also suffer some changes that weaken the walls and valves of the vessels, making older people more prone to varicose veins. The smooth inner lining of all blood vessels becomes a bit rough as the body ages, leaving a body more prone to blood clots or thromboses.
Disorders
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Healthy circulation is imperative to human life. There are several disorders of the circulatory system.
An embolism is an air bubble that is able to travel through blood vessels. This is very dangerous because it could travel to the brain, lungs or heart.
Arteriosclerosis is the thickening of the artery walls due to the loss of elasticity.
Aneurysm is when the wall of the artery thins a bit and allows blood to balloon in the area. This most often occurs in an artery and can be quite dangerous. Aneurysms are possible in veins as well.
Atherosclerosis is when fatty deposits form along the arteries and block blood flow.
Phlebitis is when the lining of a vein becomes inflamed, and blood clots in the area. This leads to pain and swelling in the affected area.
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