The cardiovascular system starts with the heart. The electrical signals from the SA node travels to the AV node eventually causing the ventricles to contract simultaneously. Since the heart is like a circuit, I will start with how blood flows in the body from the right atria. As the right atria contracts, the blood passes the bicuspid valve and enters the right ventricle. After the right ventricle contracts, blood flows into the pulmonary artery. From the pulmonary artery, blood travels to the lungs. In the lungs blood becomes oxygenated through venules, arterioles, and the capillaries. From the lungs blood travels to the pulmonary vein which leads to the left atria. After the right atria contracts, the blood passes the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle. After the right ventricle contracts, blood flows to through the aorta to the rest of the body. Illness and disease can occur in the heart. Cardiovascular health is defined by blood pressure as well as heart rate. Some diseases and illnesses include stroke and heart attacks. A heart attack is commonly mixed up with a stroke as they both include a clogged artery, however, they are different in their locations. A heart attack is a clogged coronary artery (located on the heart) where as a stroke is a clogged artery in the brain. (A stroke can also be caused by an aneurysm).
To promote cardiovascular health, an individual should consume healthy fat (HDL) and restrict their salt intake. Genetic make up and history also take a role in the individuals risk for heart disease. Other ways to prevent heart disease include exercise and low-stress levels. Although an individual may take all precautions to prevent heart disease, genetics may still make the individual more susceptible. A question on this matter that I had was just how important genetics are in increasing risk for heart diseases.
For me, this unit went very well. I enjoyed learning about the cardiovascular system and its functions and dysfunctions. Some success I felt I had in this unit was the ability to memorize the function and anatomy of the heart as well as where the items were located. I had unfortunately forgotten about the unit test until the day before. I felt as though I did very well for a last minute study session. What I learned from this experience is to get ALL of my work done before I allow myself to get side tracked or at the very least create a list of my homework and paste it on my desk.
Citations in order of appearance)
"The Organs of Cardiovascular System Organ System Anatomy."Wwwinvestinlibyaorg. N.p., 21 Sept. 2014. Web. 09 Nov. 2015.
Jill. "Heart Labeling Diagram." Pintrest. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2015.
Arzim, Zell. "Is There a Link between Heart Disease and Menopause."Linkedin. N.p., 19 Nov. 2014. Web. 9 Nov. 2015.
