Understanding Circulatory Health and Excretory Functions

Function of the Excretory System

The function of the excretory system is to remove the waste products that the body produces which are harmful to us.

Understanding Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is generated by the heart and is needed to keep the blood flowing. The value for a healthy person with normal pressure should be 120 over 80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury).

• The first number is the higher pressure caused as the left ventricle contracts to push blood out of the heart.
• The lower value is the pressure in the arteries during the time that the heart is filling with blood.

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension occurs when a resting person's blood pressure is higher than about 140/90 mmHg.

Causes and Risk Factors

It can be genetic, but you can also develop it by being overweight, smoking, or not taking enough exercise.

Associated Health Problems

Hypertension can cause several serious conditions:

• Heart Strain: It puts great strain on the heart, which leads to serious heart diseases.
• Vessel Damage: Tiny blood vessels may break, which can lead to a stroke in the brain. A blood clot forms and deprives a part of the brain of blood and therefore of oxygen, which damages nerve cells and can lead to paralysis or even death.

Lowering Blood Pressure

Blood pressure can be lowered by obtaining designed medication to lower their blood pressure.

What is Hypotension?

Hypotension is a condition that occurs when your blood pressure is very low. It can be caused by losing a large amount of blood, such as in an accident involving wounds that bleed. It can cause oxygen to not be delivered to the brain, which can be fatal.

Arteriosclerosis and Its Effects

Arteriosclerosis occurs when fatty deposits build up inside an artery, so its walls become harder and it is more difficult for the blood to flow.

Coronary Artery Complications

If arteriosclerosis affects the coronary artery, it reduces the blood supply to the heart muscle itself. The lack of nutrients and oxygen may cause pain and shortness of breath when you exercise; this condition is known as angina.

Causes and Impact of a Stroke

A stroke is a blood clot that forms in one of the blood vessels supplying the brain with nutrients and oxygen. It happens because of arteriosclerosis. It can also be caused when a blood vessel in the brain breaks and bleeds; this often happens as a result of high blood pressure.