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Article Series: Heart Health
I Want A Healthy Heart!
How
Your Blood Vessels Work
The blood vessels in the body are often the
site of cardiovascular disease. So it’s important that you
understand exactly what they are and how they work. This can
help you to understand the importance of healthy habits as
well as medical screenings. It can also help you to understand
the results of medical tests.
The
blood vessels in your body consist of arteries, arterioles,
capillaries, venules, and veins. The arteries and arterioles
carry blood that’s rich in oxygen away from the heart to the
tissues of the body.
The venules and veins carry blood that is oxygen depleted
back to the heart. The capillaries are the smallest blood vessels
where oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange actually takes place.
Blood vessels are made of smooth muscle cells. They make up
a network of tubes that circulate blood all over the body.
Inside these tubes are valves along the way. The valves are
designed to help the blood travel in one direction.
The blood vessels in your body don’t actually contract and
“beat.” The pulse you feel under your skin is a result of the
heart pumping. However, blood vessels can help to control blood
flow by becoming more narrow or constricting. They can also
become wider by dilating.
We often take our blood vessels for granted, but the truth
is that they’re pivotal in the progression of almost
every disease that the body can contract. For example, cancer can
only continue to grow when new blood vessels are laid down
in the tumor. In heart disease, the condition of the blood
vessels is pivotal.
Over time, saturated fat and cholesterol can begin to line
the interior of blood vessels and form a hard plaque. This
plaque causes blood vessels to become narrow and can eventually
lead to blockages. When this happens, the heart has to work
harder to pump blood all over the body.
Also, there are blood vessels that supply the heart with the
blood it needs to do its job. When those vessels become blocked,
the result can be a heart attack. Strokes are also the result
of blood vessel blockages.
It’s important to do all you can to keep your blood vessels
in good shape. You can do this by eating a healthy diet that’s
low in saturated fat and high in unsaturated fat and fiber.
You can also help keep them in good shape by participating
in regular exercise. By making a few healthy choices, you can
prevent problems with these important parts of your body.
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by SolveYourProblem.com
: 2008
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