1. Blood vessels & Problems

2. Types of blood vessels
Arteries – vessels that carry blood AWAY from the heart
Very thick and muscular
Blood in arteries are under high pressure from being pumped by the heart

3. All arteries carry oxygen-rich blood to cells/tissues EXCEPT the pulmonary artery
Largest artery is aorta
Aorta is split up into primary arteries
Arteries end at the capillaries

4. Veins are blood vessels that carry blood TO the heart
Thin walled vessels, not very muscular
Less blood pressure on veins
Have valves to prevent back flow of blood
Veins start at the capillaries
All veins carry deoxygenated blood EXCEPT pulmonary veins

5. Artery vs. Vein

6. Capillaries
All capillaries in the body laid end to end would equal about 60,000 miles
Increased surface area!! Increased blood flow
Site of gas & nutrient exchange between blood vessels and cells

7. Capillary walls are only 1 cell thick
Allows diffusion of O2, CO2, & nutrients

8. Hypertension High blood pressure, can cause heart disease
2 numbers are given when measuring BP (blood pressure): Example 112/60
Systolic is the larger number on top
When ventricle is contracted/pumping
Should be about your age
Diastolic is the smaller number on the bottom
This is when ventricles are relaxed
Above 90 is cause for concern

9. BP is determined by the amount of blood the heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in the arteries
Normal BP for an adult is 120/80
Causes include poor diet, genetics, not exercising
Treatments include changing diet, exercising, losing weight, meds for lowering BP