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Disorders of the Circulatory System

Learn about problems that can happen with your heart and blood vessels. Find out about things like high blood pressure, heart problems, and blood clots. Understand what causes these problems, what signs to look for, and how doctors can help.
authorImageJasdeep Bhatia2 Apr, 2024
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Disorders of the Circulatory System

To understand the disorders of the circulatory system , one must be aware of the role of this system in the human body. The Circulatory system not only transports oxygen to the body organs but also supplies immune cells to the infection site, nutrients, minerals and ions, and hormones to their target sites. The lymphatic system is also circulatory and helps to drain the body fluids between tissues and blood vessels.

All the organs in the body require a supply of nutrients and oxygen which are dissolved in the blood and circulated by the circulatory system. Damages to the heart, blood vessels, and impurities can all be grouped under Circulatory system disorders. In this article, we will study the common circulatory system disorders, their causes, and treatments in detail.

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Vital Systems in Human Body

Unlike simple organisms like prokaryotes and unicellular eukaryotes, Humans possess a complex arrangement of cells to perform specialised functions. The cells join together to form tissues which then associate to form organs and organ systems. These vital systems involve contributions from various organs and are necessary for a human to survive. Some of these systems include-
  • Respiratory system- This system is concerned with the breathing and respiration processes to ensure oxygen is supplied to the cells and carbon dioxide is removed into the atmosphere. The Lungs are the key organ in this system which serves as the gas exchange center.
  • Circulatory system- The Cardiovascular system ensures that the blood remains in circulation and reaches all the cells in the body to supply the necessary nutrients. Hormones, enzymes, and other ions also remain dissolved in the blood and are transported to their designated targets. The heart is the key organ of this system which continues to pump blood through the contraction of its walls.
  • Digestive system- This system moves food particles through the alimentary canal into the stomach for digestion and breakdown and intestines for absorption and assimilation. The Stomach and intestines are the key organs that provide the enzymes and environment needed for digestion.
  • Excretory system- This system is essential to remove wastes generated after food breakdown. The Kidneys play a key role in this system which have glomerular filters that separate nitrogenous waste from the blood and expel them out through the urethra.

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Circulatory System Structures and their functions

To deliver oxygen into the blood, the circulatory system (cardiovascular system) pumps blood from the heart to the lungs. The body receives oxygenated blood from the heart via arteries. Oxygen-depleted blood is returned to the heart through veins to restart circulation. The circulatory system is essential for the health of our muscles, tissues, and organs. The vital components of this system and their functions include
  • The main component of this system is the heart which is made up of four chambers called the ventricles and auricles. These chambers are made up of cardiac muscles which can contract continuously without rest. This contraction generates the force needed to pump blood throughout the body.
  • To prevent the backflow of blood, the walls have valves that open and close under controlled movement, preventing blood from moving in the backward direction.
  • Other components of the heart called pacemakers accept electrical impulses from the brain and control the rhythmic beating of the muscles so that constant heart rate and blood pressure can be maintained. This includes the Sinoatrial nodes and Atrioventricular nodes.
  • The Lungs also play a key role in circulation because it delivers oxygen to the left atrium, without which oxygen-laden blood will not circulate through the artery.
  • The next major components are the blood vessels which form a network throughout the body to ensure that every region is connected and supplied with blood. The blood vessels include the arteries, which carry oxygen-rich blood under high pressure; the veins, which carry oxygen-deficient blood under normal pressure and the capillaries, which are intermediate in size and interlink the arteries and veins.
  • This circulation is incomplete without blood which carries all the nutrients, hormones, and oxygen needed for the cells to survive. The blood is composed of Red blood cells containing hemoglobin which can bind with carbon dioxide and oxygen, White blood cells, which can fight infections; and platelets which prevent excessive bleeding by acting as coagulants.

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Causes for Circulatory System Disorders

Malfunctions in any of the vital components of the Circulatory system can result in cardiovascular disorders, producing various symptoms like chest pain, discomfort, and breathlessness. Three primary causes of circulatory system disorders include-
  • Environmental causes
  • Genetic causes
  • Lifestyle causes
Let us discuss these causes in detail.

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Environmental Causes

The external environment significantly influences heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen demand, and brain activity.
  • If there is high pollution in the atmosphere, then the oxygen intake will be less. The heart will receive less oxygen from the lungs, which will be supplied to the brain.
  • To maintain the oxygen demand, the brain will signal the heart to pump faster, which will put additional pressure on the heart muscles. This is a major cause of heart attack, cardiac muscle fatigue, and death.
  • The presence of heavy metals in drinking water can also increase the risk of heart and kidney failure by altering blood pressure.
  • Living in extreme temperatures or noisy environments can also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and cardiac arrest.

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Genetic Causes

Certain people are at higher risk of developing circulatory system disorders despite maintaining a healthy diet and living in a healthy environment. Genetic alterations that can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases include-
  • Mutation in the genes responsible for the development of the heart and other circulatory structures in the embryo stage will result in circulatory disorders since birth.
  • Genetic disorders caused by chromosomal aberrations like Down syndrome can also increase the risk of heart attacks and blood-related disorders.
  • Mutations that activate oncogenes can result in blood cancer, tumor in the blood vessels causing a blockage, and even tumors in the heart muscles. These mutations may be active since birth or activated later in life.

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Lifestyle Causes

Sedentary lifestyle is the most important risk factor for developing circulatory diseases leading to blockages, cardiac muscle failure, blood toxicity, and many more severe conditions. Some of the lifestyle habits that are particularly dangerous include-
  • High sugar intake in food resulting in diabetes which changes the blood composition and makes it thicker and difficult to pump. The heart has to perform more activity to maintain the blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart failure.
  • Excessive stress due to work pressure or any other activity signals the brain to release certain chemicals that make the heart beat faster and damage communication between the brain and the pacemakers.
  • Eating food rich in cholesterol and other fats, drinking soft drinks and eating fast food are the major reasons for increased hearts tracks. The cholesterol gets deposited in arteries and other blood vessels and makes pumping blood harder. Complete blockage of any major artery can result in sudden cardiac arrest.

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Common Circulatory System Disorders and their Symptoms

Failure of the heart muscles

The heart does not pump blood around the body as effectively as it should, referred to as heart failure. It may cause coughing, shortness of breath, and exhaustion.

Heart Attack

A heart attack is referred to technically as a myocardial infarction. A heart attack may result when the heart's blood flow is compromised, frequently due to a blood clot. While some heart attacks are modest, some can be fatal.

Atherosclerosis

The arteries stiffen due to atherosclerosis. A diet rich in fat, which creates fatty deposits on the blood vessel lining, is usually the culprit. By sticking together, these fatty deposits harden and reduce the flexibility of the arteries. High blood pressure from atherosclerosis can harm the heart and kidneys and possibly cause strokes.

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Chronic chest pain

Insufficient blood flow to the heart can cause angina pectoris or "chest discomfort." People say it feels like their chest is in a vice or crushing them. Breathlessness, exhaustion, and nausea are other symptoms of angina pectoris.

High triglycerides

An unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle are frequently blamed for high cholesterol. Additionally, some people may be genetically predisposed to high cholesterol. Although everyone needs a certain amount of cholesterol, an excessive amount can build up inside blood vessels and prevent blood flow.

Elevated blood pressure (hypertension)

The blood's constant high flow through the arteries is called high blood pressure or hypertension. Stroke, eyesight loss, heart attack, renal illness, heart failure, and low sperm count are just a few of the complications that high blood pressure can cause.

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The aortic aneurysm

The body's major artery is affected by aortic aneurysms. It denotes that the artery wall has deteriorated, causing it to broaden. A medical emergency might arise from a ruptured artery that is swollen.

Thrombosis of the veins

Blood clots that lodge themselves in veins and stop blood flow is known as venous thromboembolism (VTE). It is a severe ailment that requires immediate medical care.

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Cardiac ischemia

is a condition in which the heart's muscle does not receive enough oxygen to operate normally. Angina-like discomfort and possible heart attack-like symptoms are typically present in a person with cardiac ischemia.

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Disorders of the Circulatory System <span style=

Which body parts are included in the Circulatory System?

The Circulatory system consists of vital organs like the lungs and heart, blood vessels, veins, arteries, capillaries, and accessory fluids like blood. 

What is the most common Circulatory System disease?

Cardiac arrest is the most common circulatory system disorder and is the leading cause of death worldwide. The sudden onset of symptoms makes this disorder difficult to diagnose and treat. 

Which medication is effective during a sudden cardiac arrest?

Beta-blockers like Anigote4nsin, if given immediately during a heart attack, can remove the blockage and open collapsed vessels. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation can also restore normal breathing and heart rate. 

Which risk factor is most dangerous for the circulatory system?

Poor lifestyle habits like smoking, drinking alcohol, and overeating sugar and fat-rich food, can trigger major cardiovascular diseases like blockage and cardiac arrest. 
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