Cardiovascular System Guide: Heart Health & Exercise Effects

What are the four parts of the cardiovascular system? Understand how exercise, smoking, and serotonin influence heart health and normal cholesterol ranges.

heart model and electrocardiograph

The 4 Parts of the Cardiovascular System

The main purpose of the cardiovascular system is to transport blood rich in oxygen and nutrients to cells in the body and transport waste products in the blood to the appropriate system for elimination. The cardiovascular system plays many important roles, including the maintenance of body temperature.

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Chocolate ganache cake with raspberries and chocolate shavings

How to Thicken a Runny Ganache

Ganache is one of the mainstays of the pastry chef's kitchen. A mixture of cream and high quality chocolate, it can be made thick and fudgy or thin and runny, depending on how it's to be used.

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Listen to your heart

Chemoreceptors in the Cardiovascular System

The cardiovascular system, made up primarily of the heart, blood vessels, and blood, is responsible for distributing oxygenated blood to body cells, and removing metabolic waste from the cells.

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Nurse helping boy in hospital bed

What Causes a Low Pulse Oximeter Reading in Children?

A pulse oximeter measures the amount of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen. Oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry (SpO2) between 96 and 100 percent are considered normal, according to nursing instructor Kathy Lawrence, M.S.N. of the University of Texas Medical Branch.

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Characteristics of Cardiac Muscle Tissue

Cardiac muscle is specialized tissue that is found only in the heart. It has characteristics similar to both smooth and skeletal muscle tissue, as well as specialized properties, that allow it to function with fast but sustained contractions, rapid conduction and coordinated movement.

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10 Ways to Keep Your Heart Healthy

What you eat and drink, your activity level, how you cope with stress and other individual lifestyle factors help determine the health of your heart. Heart disease is a progressive condition that can start early in life but can also be prevented or controlled by making smart lifestyle choices.

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3 Ways to Strengthen Your Cardiovascular System

The cardiovascular system consists of your heart and blood vessels and is responsible for transporting oxygen and nutrients throughout your body. Physical activity strengthens your cardiovascular system — "

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Sports to Stay Healthy

Some sports that can help you stay healthy are low cost and highly effective at getting you into shape. Many participate in sports because it is fun but there are also a number of health benefits associated with staying active.

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How to Stay Healthy While Taking Prednisone

Prednisone is a steroid prescription medication that is used to decrease the body's immune response. This medication can be administered in pill, liquid and intravenous forms and is prescribed for several different problems.

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heart

What Is the Difference Between Smooth & Cardiac Muscle?

When you think of muscle, skeletal muscle, which helps you move, might be what first comes to mind. But other types of muscle tissue, such as cardiac and smooth muscle, also play an essential role in keeping your body properly functioning.

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Ways to Improve Cardiovascular Endurance

Cardiovascular endurance is the ability of your cardiovascular and respiratory systems to work properly while under the stress of a challenging exercise session. These systems include your blood, heart, blood vessels and lungs.

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Bottles of extra virgin olive oil

What Is the Healthiest Cooking Oil for Deep Frying?

Extra light olive oil and sunflower oil are great options to use when you deep-fry foods. They have a high smoke point and heart-healthy unsaturated fats. Other good options include canola, safflower and peanut oils.

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Fitness Woman Running

5 Major Functions of the Cardiovascular System

The cardiovascular system, also known as the circulatory system, includes the heart, arteries, veins, capillaries and blood. The heart functions as the pump that moves blood through the body. The arterial circulation delivers blood from the heart to the body, and the venous circulation carries it back to the heart.

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doctor palpates the abdomen of pregnant woman during childbirth

The Effects of Pregnancy on the Cardiovascular System

Your body goes through many changes during pregnancy -- many that you can see and feel and many that you cannot. Your cardiovascular system, which goes through many changes during pregnancy, includes the heart, blood, veins and arteries.

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fish oil capsules

Can You Take Fish Oil at Night?

Fish oil supplements are packed full of omega-3 fatty acids, a polyunsaturated fat that helps lower the body’s triglyceride level. When combined with diet and exercise, fish oil may help prevent heart disease.

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