How Blood Flows Through the Heart & Body

Introduction

• Continuous blood flow is essential for survival.
• Heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to the body.
• Blood delivers oxygen and nutrients, removes CO2 and waste.
• Blood returns to the heart, goes to lungs to exchange gases, then returns to the heart to be pumped again.
• White blood cells in the blood fight infections.
• The circulatory system consists of heart and blood vessels.

Blood Flow Through the Heart

Heart Structure

• Heart has four chambers: right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle.
• Right side receives blood, left side sends it out.

Heart Valves

• Tricuspid Valve: Right atrium to right ventricle.
• Pulmonary Valve: Right ventricle to pulmonary artery.
• Mitral Valve: Left atrium to left ventricle.
• Aortic Valve: Left ventricle to aorta.

Blood Flow Steps

Right Side Steps

1. Oxygen-poor blood enters right atrium via vena cavae.
2. Blood moves to right ventricle through tricuspid valve.
3. Right ventricle contracts, blood goes to lungs via pulmonary artery.

Left Side Steps

1. Oxygen-rich blood enters left atrium from pulmonary veins.
2. Moves into left ventricle through mitral valve.
3. Left ventricle contracts, blood goes to body via aorta.

Heart Pumping Capacity

• Pumps ~2,000 gallons of blood daily.
• Beats ~100,000 times a day, ~2.9 billion times in a lifetime.

Conditions Affecting Heart Blood Flow

• Arrhythmias: Irregular heartbeat.
• Congestive Heart Failure: Weak heart muscle.
• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Narrowed arteries.
• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Narrowed body arteries.
• Heart Attack: Blocked coronary artery.
• Heart Valve Disease: Faulty heart valves.
• Congenital Defects: Heart structure issues present at birth.
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest: Heart stops due to electrical issues.

Blood Flow Through the Body

Blood Flow Steps

1. Blood enters aorta, main artery.
2. Aorta branches into smaller arteries.
3. Arteries become arterioles.
4. Arterioles turn into capillaries, exchange gases and nutrients.
5. Capillaries turn into venules.
6. Venules become veins, carrying oxygen-poor blood back to heart.
7. Vena cavae return blood to heart.

Conditions Affecting Body Blood Flow

• Aneurysms: Artery wall weak spots.
• Atherosclerosis: Plaque in arteries.
• Venous Disease: Damaged veins.
• Arteriovenous Fistulae: Abnormal artery-vein connections.

Improving Blood Flow

• Maintain healthy weight.
• Follow heart-healthy diet.
• Exercise regularly (150 minutes/week).
• Limit alcohol intake.
• Manage stress through healthy methods.
• Quit smoking and avoid tobacco.