Heart-Pounding Facts: How the Circulatory System Works

Basic Anatomy

Simply put, the circulatory system (also known as the cardiovascular system) is what moves the blood in your body. You can think of your heart like the central hub of this system, pumping blood through the far-reaching intricate network of arteries and veins all over your body. Blood vessels (veins) help to return blood to your heart, while others (arteries) carry blood away from your heart.

Components of the Circulatory System

Heart

Arteries

Veins

Capillaries

Circulatory System Functions

Your circulatory system has three basic functions: to move blood in your body, move oxygen and nutrients (via blood) around the body to various cells in your muscles, organs, and tissues, and take away waste (like carbon dioxide and chemical byproducts of organs) to be disposed of through elimination organs. And here are some heart-pumping facts: your heart circulates about 2,000 gallons (or ~7,500 liters) of blood every day and the body has over 60,000 miles of blood vessels!¹

Lifestyle Tips

Now that you know a little bit about how the circulatory system functions, it’s easy to see why taking care of it is so important! One simple thing you can do for heart health is prioritize exercise. When done regularly, physical activity strengthens your heart muscle. This can improve your heart’s ability to pump blood to your lungs and throughout your body, gets more blood flow to your muscles, and helps oxygen levels in your blood rise. Physical activity also widens your capillaries, allowing them to deliver more oxygen and carry away waste products.¹ Your circulatory system also benefits when you get enough sleep², find healthy ways to ease stress³, and eat a heart-healthy diet (especially during menopause!).⁴