The heart pumps blood into your aorta.

The aorta is the major artery of your body which acts somewhat
like a balloon. When the left ventricle of the heart ejects blood into the aorta, the aorta swells like a
balloon to receive the blood.
The aortic valve then closes, preventing the blood in the aorta from flowing back into the heart. Therefore,
when the aorta returns to its original size, the blood is forced into the rest of your arterial system. Blood
moves from the aorta, to the arteries, to the arterioles, then to the capillaries.
In the arterial side of the capillaries, fluid is forced into the interstitial space because hydrostatic pressure
in the capillary is greater than the oncotic pressure. On the venous side of the capillaries, fluid returns into
the circulation because the oncotic pressure is now greater than the hydrostatic pressure.
Blood then flows from the capillaries to the venules, to the veins, and then to the inferior and superior
vena cava, and back into the heart by the right atrium.
Within your heart, the blood moves from the right atrium to the right ventricle, which pumps blood into
your pulmonary circulation. By a similar process described above for systemic circulation, blood is
pumped from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery and into the pulmonary capillaries, were it is
oxygenated, and returns by the pulmonary veins to the left atrium. Blood moves from the left atrium to the
left ventricle, and the cycle repeats. The heart pumps blood into your aorta. The aorta is the major artery
of your body which acts somewhat like a balloon. When the left ventricle of the heart ejects blood into the
aorta, the aorta swells like a balloon to receive the blood.
The aortic valve then closes, preventing the blood in the aorta from flowing back into the heart. Therefore,
when the aorta returns to its original size, the blood is forced into the rest of your arterial system. Blood
moves from the aorta, to the arteries, to the arterioles, then to the capillaries.
In the arterial side of the capillaries, fluid is forced into the interstitial space because hydrostatic pressure
in the capillary is greater than the oncotic pressure. On the venous side of the capillaries, fluid returns into
the circulation because the oncotic pressure is now greater than the hydrostatic pressure.
Blood then flows from the capillaries to the venules, to the veins, and then to the inferior and superior
vena cava, and back into the heart by the right atrium.
Within your heart, the blood moves from the right atrium to the right ventricle, which pumps blood into
your pulmonary circulation. By a similar process described above for systemic circulation, blood is
pumped from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery and into the pulmonary capillaries, were it is
oxygenated, and returns by the pulmonary veins to the left atrium. Blood moves from the left atrium to the
left ventricle, and the cycle repeats.
Arteriosclerosis is a common disease of the circulatory system caused by the buildup of fat, cholesterol,
or other substance in the artery wall. Deposits in the artery cause the vessel to stiffen and narrow.
Diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, and high blood pressure can result in stiff arteries that restrict blood
flow through the heart.
Another common disease of the circulatory system is an aortic aneurysm. An aortic aneurysm occurs
when a section of the aorta bulges, stretches, and swells. This bulge can weaken the aorta to the point
that it bursts, releasing blood into the body. Bleeding from an aortic aneurysm is a medical emergency
that can be caused by high blood pressure, smoking, aging, high cholesterol, and a positive family
history.
Varicose veins are another common disease of the circulatory system that happens when veins in the
legs twist, swell, and become painful. Aging, pregnancy, prolonged standing, and defective valves can all
contribute to the development of varicose veins. Most of the time varicose veins can be treated by
elevating the lower extremities, avoiding prolonged standing or sitting positions, and wearing supportive
stockings.
Disease Description Treatments
Endocarditis
Inflammation of the inner layer of
the heart this can be infective or
non-infective.
For infective endocarditis antibiotics are the
initial treatment of choice. Sometimes a
heart valve replacement is needed.
Acute Coronary
Syndrome
There is unstable angina, ST-
elevation myocardial infarction or
non-ST elevation myocardial
infarction.
Aspirin and nitroglycerin are used to treat
this condition.
Pulmonary Valve
Stenosis
Here the pulmonary value cannot
complete open resulting in
decreased blood flow to the lungs.
Surgery to treat or replace the value is the
treatment of choice.
Conceptual
Apraxia.
Inability to organize or plan tasks.
There is no general treatment for this
condition and often the condition resolves
without treatment.
Thrombophlebitis
Blood clots develop in the veins of
the extremities.
Anticoagulants can be used to prevent clot
formation and other medications are used to
dissolve clots.
Temporal Arteritis
Blood vessels in the neck are
damaged from an immune
response.
This is treated with corticosteroids.
Ventricular
Tachycardia
An abnormally fast heart rate that
originates from the ventricles of
the heart.
This is not treated unless an emergency
develops. In an emergency cardioversion,
CPR or anti-arrhythmic medications are
often given.
Congenital Heart
Defects
Structural abnormalities of the
heart that is present at birth.
Medications or surgery is needed to restore
proper function.