HOW THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM WORKS

One important thing to do when you or a loved one has either been diagnosed with heart disease, or is suspected to have heart disease, is to learn as much as possible about the cardiovascular system.

To understand why coronary artery disease can be deadly, it is important to understand where the coronary arteries are and what their function is. To understand valvular atresia, stenosis or regurgitation, it is important to have a good understanding of the heart valves and how they help direct the flow of blood through the heart. To understand an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia), it is important to understand what triggers a heartbeat.

Therefore, this article is written as a general introduction of the cardiovascular system. A wealth of illustrations and animations are included to help you grasp this information as quickly and easily as possible.