Circulatory System

Circulatory System

The circulatory system includes the heart, lungs and blood vessels. Through its network of veins and arteries, it carries life-giving blood loaded with oxygen and nutrients to all the muscles and organs in the body. The heart pumps bright red oxygenated blood out to the body through the arteries. Dark, depleted purplish blood returns to the heart and lungs through the veins, to be refueled with oxygen and sent out again for delivery.

* The big carotid arteries in the neck carry blood to the brain. They''''re a prime spot for clot-induced stroke. You can lower your chances of stroke with an antioxidant-rich diet of fruits and vegetables. (See "Favor fresh veggies" on page 8.)

* When the aorta narrows with fatty deposits or stiffens with age (or both), it''''s a principal cause of heart attack. Exercise can keep arteries fit and flexible. (See "Tone up for your arteries" on page 9.)

* The heart is made of muscle. That means use it or lose it. A sedentary lifestyle is one of the risk factors for heart disease. Activity is essential. (For motivation, see "Get up and go" on page 170.)

CIRCULATION 2

The placenta connects a mother to her growing child by way of the umbilical cord. Through that connection everything a woman eats, drinks or breathes is passed on to the fetus. That''''s why smoking, drinking and taking some medications are dangerous during pregnancy.

* The veins in the legs carry blood back to the heart for refueling. Women with varicose veins, though, have veins that get backed up with blood--they can look unsightly and make your legs ache. (To help foil varicose veins, see "Keeping Glorious Gams" on page 433.)

* Phlebitis is an inflamed blood clot on a vein wall. It can be treated easily (see "Pressure to Perform" on page 431).

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* High blood pressure beats up the walls of arteries, leading to strokes and heart attacks. (To lower your numbers, see "Eating to Control Your Blood Pressure" on page 174.)

* To find out what medical experts can read in a blood test, see "A Blood Test Primer" on page 32.

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