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Heart background
Medical Science

The Cardiovascular
System

The engine of life — exploring the heart, blood vessels,
and the circulatory network that sustains every cell in the human body.

100,000 Heartbeats / Day
60,000 Miles of Blood Vessels
5 L Blood Pumped / Min
01 — Introduction

Heart
Anatomy

The heart is a muscular organ roughly the size of a fist, located slightly left of center in the chest. It beats approximately 60–100 times per minute, driving blood through the entire body.

4 Chambers Right & Left Atria + Right & Left Ventricles
4 Valves Tricuspid, Pulmonary, Mitral, Aortic
Cardiac Muscle Myocardium — involuntary, striated muscle tissue
Electrical System SA Node → AV Node → Bundle of His → Purkinje Fibers
Heart anatomy diagram
Cross-sectional view of the human heart showing all four chambers and major vessels
Blood cells

Blood Circulation

Two interconnected circuits work in perfect synchrony to deliver oxygen and nutrients while removing waste products from every tissue in the body.

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Pulmonary Circuit

Deoxygenated blood travels from the right heart → lungs, where CO₂ is exchanged for O₂, then returns oxygenated to the left heart.

Right Ventricle Pulmonary Artery Lungs Left Atrium
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Systemic Circuit

Oxygenated blood travels from the left heart → entire body, delivering O₂ to all organs and tissues, then returns deoxygenated to the right heart.

Left Ventricle Aorta Body Tissues Right Atrium
Arteries — carry blood away from heart
Veins — carry blood toward heart
Capillaries — microscopic exchange vessels

Cardiovascular Diseases

CVD is the #1 cause of death globally, responsible for 17.9 million deaths per year (WHO, 2023). Understanding risk factors is the first step toward prevention.

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Coronary Artery Disease

Plaque buildup (atherosclerosis) narrows coronary arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle. Leading cause of heart attacks.

Most Common CVD

Heart Failure

The heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Affects 64 million people worldwide.

64M Affected
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Stroke

Blocked or ruptured blood vessel in the brain. 2nd leading cause of death and major cause of disability globally.

2nd Leading Cause
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Hypertension

High blood pressure (≥130/80 mmHg) silently damages arteries and organs. Affects 1.28 billion adults worldwide.

1.28B Adults
Key Risk Factors: Smoking Obesity Diabetes High Cholesterol Physical Inactivity Stress Poor Diet
Healthy lifestyle

Heart Health &
Prevention

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Regular Exercise

150 min/week of moderate aerobic activity. Strengthens the heart muscle and lowers blood pressure.

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Heart-Healthy Diet

Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats (omega-3).

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Quit Smoking

Smoking doubles the risk of heart disease. Quitting reduces risk by 50% within just one year.

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Quality Sleep

7–9 hours per night. Poor sleep is linked to hypertension, obesity, and increased CVD risk.

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Stress Management

Chronic stress raises cortisol and blood pressure. Mindfulness, yoga, and social connection help.

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Regular Check-ups

Monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. Early detection saves lives.

"The greatest wealth is health." — Virgil