Around the Cardiovascular System

In the body, there are two interconnected circulatory systems.

On one hand, there is the systemic circulation - the body circulation - and on the other hand, the pulmonary circulation.

When we talk about blood pressure, we usually mean the blood pressure in the systemic circulation - the body circulation. This refers to the path of blood from the left atrium of the heart through the body to the right ventricle. Along this path, the blood transports oxygen to the cells and returns to the heart as deoxygenated blood.

Here, it moves from the right ventricle into the so-called pulmonary circulation. This means that the blood is pumped from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery and from there into the vessels of the lungs. These branch out in the lungs and become finer. As a result, the blood flows more slowly, and the vessel walls become thinner. This allows for gas exchange to occur when the blood reaches the alveoli. Carbon dioxide is released and can be exhaled. Oxygen is absorbed. Through the pulmonary vein, the now oxygen-rich blood returns to the heart - more specifically, to the left atrium - and can begin its journey back into the systemic circulation.

The blood pressure in the vessels of the systemic circulation is higher than in the pulmonary circulation. Additionally, the blood pressure in the arteries is always higher than in the veins or the small capillaries.

If the blood pressure in the pulmonary circulation is elevated, it is referred to as pulmonary hypertension - either pulmonary or pulmonary arterial hypertension. This is usually due to a lung or heart disease.

Articles in this category:

• Our Heart
• Blood Pressure and Pulse
• Pulse Normal Values
• Pulse Pressure
• MAD - mean arterial pressure
• What is an ECG (Electrocardiogram) and what does the doctor see?




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