Vital for Gas Exchange
•The circulatory system works hand-in-hand with the respiratory
system. Oxygen from the lungs must be delivered to the tissues, and
carbon dioxide from the tissues must be carried back to the lungs to be
exhaled.
Dysrhythmia (Arrhythmia)
•An abnormal heart rhythm is caused by problems with the heart's
electrical system.
•The heart may beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly, which can affect
how well blood is pumped.
Myocardial Ischemia
•This happens when the heart muscle doesn’t get enough oxygen
because of reduced blood flow (often from narrowed coronary arteries).
•It can cause chest pain or discomfort.
Angina
•A symptom of ischemia.
•It is chest pain or pressure that usually happens with activity or stress
and is relieved by rest or medication.
Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
•Occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is completely blocked,
causing part of the heart muscle to die.
•This is a medical emergency.
Heart Failure
•The heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
•It can cause symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in the
legs, and fluid buildup in the lungs.