Heart and Circulatory System
Your circulatory system is made up of your heart, blood, blood vessels and lungs. In your circulatory system your heart pumps blood transporting nutrients, water and oxygen to your bodys cells. Your circulatory system allows your lungs to rid the body of waste and carbon dioxide and bring oxygen into your blood.
Exercise and healthy eating are two ways you can help keep your circulatory system healthy. Smoking does damage to healthy blood circulation. When you smoke the carbon monoxide and nicotine entering your body have negative effects on your blood and blood vessels and constrict circulation.
Signs of poor circulation include cold hands and feet, numbness, dizziness, migraines, varicose veins and pain in your feet or legs. Consult a doctor if you have these symptoms. Untreated, poor circulation can lead to stroke, high blood pressure, kidney damage and other diseases.
Recently Answered
- Q What ultrasound tests are used to diagnose coronary artery disease?
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If you have coronary artery disease, you may also be at risk for problems with arteries in other parts of your body. Narrowing, blockage, or blood clots can happen in the arteries leading to your brain (causing stroke), your kidneys, and your... Full Answer
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- Q What tests are used to assess cardiovascular risk?
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Researchers have discovered that running several different tests at once -- and looking at the results together, as well as individually -- can give new insight into your health and health risks. For this reason, your healthcare provider may... Full Answer
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- Q What is atherosclerosis?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyAtherosclerosis is a medical condition in which a fatty substance called plaque builds up on the inside walls of blood vessels, which can slow or eventually block the flow of blood. When this occurs in the coronary arteries, it is termed coronary... Full Answer
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- Q What is angioplasty?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyAngioplasty is a procedure to reduce the narrowing of coronary arteries due to plaque. The plaque is pushed to the inside walls of the artery to widen the area for blood to flow. A stent may be inserted to keep the artery open. Watch this animation to... Full Answer
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- Q What is a cardiac marker?
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A cardiac marker is a chemical released by damaged heart muscle cells. Examples of cardiac markers are troponin and creatine phosphokinase-MB (CPK-MB). Cardiac marker analysis looks for these telltale chemicals to confirm a heart attack. Full Answer
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- Q What is diastolic blood pressure?
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At the doctor’s office when you have your blood pressure taken, you will be told two numbers: the second number is your diastolic blood pressure. A blood pressure reading measures how much force your blood is exerting against artery walls as it... Full Answer
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- Q What are common types of heart valve problems?
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When blood pumps through the heart, the flow of that blood is regulated by valves that, when functioning correctly, prevent the blood from flowing backward. Although there are four heart valves, most patients have problems with either their aortic valve... Full Answer
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- Q What causes cold feet?
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Melissa Hatton, FitnessThere are a couple different reasons for cold feet. Shoes that are too tight can cause feet to become cold because they can restrict the blood flow. Another reason is poor circulation. The blood maintains a 98.6 degree... Full Answer
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- Q How do arteries become blocked?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyThe arteries can become blocked through a build up of plaque on the insides of the arteries, resulting in coronary artery disease, or CAD. Watch this animation to see how this can happen. Full Answer
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- Q Is coronary artery disease serious?
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Yes, coronary artery disease can lead to high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack. High blood pressure can lead to the heart developing problems pumping adequate blood to major organs such as the kidneys--thus leading to kidney problems as well. Full Answer
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