The cardiovascular system depends on the health and function of the vasculature and circulating blood as well as the heart pump itself. Exercise benefits the vasculature and heart muscle as much as it improves skeletal muscle function....
Nitric oxide, NO, is a chemical signal that regulates the dilation and tone of your blood vessels. Your body manufactures NO from amino acids. You need a diet with an adequate amount of protein to synthesize plentiful NO. In turn, NO helps your...
The heart--a fist-sized organ made of muscle--occupies the space under the rib cage between the lungs, just to the left of the breastbone. It's divided into four chambers, two on top known as the atria and two on bottom known as ventricles. The...
Blood vessels provide your brain cells with sugars, oxygen and other nutrients required to function. The development of new blood vessels helps maintain a blood supply to all the tissues within your brain. All blood vessels contain a lining of...
Your body has one trillion endothelial cells, the cells that form the lining of all blood and lymph vessels and cover a surface area of more than 3,000 square meters, according to Katherine A Hajjar, M.D., of Weill Cornell Medical College. This...
Endothelial cells compose the inner lining of blood vessels. Blood vessels function as a conduit for the delivery of oxygen, nutrients, hormones, proteins, immune factors and the removal of waste. Dysfunction of endothelial cells and the buildup...
The clear tissue at the front of the eye is the cornea; in order to have clear vision, the tissue of the cornea needs to remain thin and transparent. The inner layer of the cornea called the endothelium keeps the cornea clear, and if there is a...
At room temperature, nitric oxide is a toxic gas, so it might seem surprising that this poisonous compound could play any part in normal human physiology. Remarkably enough, however, your body actually uses nitric oxide in several different...
Blood flow is necessary for survival, thus mechanisms exist in the body to ensure that blood flow is maintained. Hemostasis is the mechanism used by the body to sustain blood flow; its components include clotting factors, platelets, substances...
One of the effects of nicotine, according to the American Heart Association, is that it causes constriction of the blood vessels. Nicotine is able to do this by binding to proteins called nicotinic receptors. When nicotine binds to these proteins,...
Poor circulation can stem from a wide variety of causes, including inflammation or constriction of blood vessels, obstruction via atherosclerotic plaques or loss of elasticity in blood vessel walls. Lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise can...
The purpose of the inner layer or the endothelium of the cornea is to pump the fluid out of the cornea and keep it clear. When the endothelial cells stop working, the cornea swells; this is called corneal edema. The endothelial cells can be...
Mushrooms are members of the Kingdom fungi, which contains an estimated 1.5 million species. Mushrooms and their relatives -- yeast and molds -- serve the vital function of breaking down and recycling dead organic matter. These hardy life-forms...
Blood circulation is important in order to allow proper blood flow to the body organs and tissues and to the brain. When oxygen-containing blood cannot move freely throughout the problem, the result is poor circulation. Increasing vitamin intake...
Nitric oxide is a gas molecule that is released within endothelial cells and plays a critical role in several functions in the body, including reducing inflammation, kidney function and oxygen transport. In addition, nitric oxide helps relax and...
Red moles are often normal moles, just differently colored, notes MayoClinic.com. Moles that are slightly raised are small hemangiomas -- overgrowths of tissue. However, if your mole is partially red, seek a doctor's input. Changing color or...
Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high blood sugar and increased risk of cardiovascular complications. Excess sugar in your blood can damage the endothelial cells that line the interior of your arteries, increase fat production and...
The blood-brain barrier is a semi-permeable lining that prevents most substances from passing into the brain, according to Washington University. Scientists discovered the blood-brain barrier more than 100 years ago when it was found that blue dye...
Pomegranate juice is a nutrient-dense beverage containing high concentrations of antioxidants, particularly vitamin C and polyphenols. Pomegranate juice slows down or prevents buildup of arterial plaque based on studies in test tubes, animals and...
Changing your diet and lifestyle is one of the most effective ways to lower blood pressure. Several foods, including herbs and spices, contain compounds that can treat hypertension, such as cayenne or chili peppers. The active ingredient in these...
In 2006, more than 81 million people in the United States had some form of cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association. These artery-damaging conditions, including high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, stroke and...
Hypertension is a condition in which the pressure within your blood vessels increases to dangerous levels. Chronic hypertension may lead to serious medical conditions including stroke, heart attack, kidney damage and even retinal disease. Japanese...
Simple squamous epithelium consists of a single layer of thin cells that are often flattened. These cells have a variety of functions within the body and are primarily used to line certain tissues. These cells are used to make very thin linings...
Coronary vasospasm, also known as variant angina or Prinzmetal's angina, is a condition characterized by inappropriate constriction of the heart's arteries. Myron Prinzmetal first described the condition in 1959. Patients with this condition...
Folic acid is well-known for its effect on brain and nervous system growth in utero, but its benefits may extend to your cardiovascular system. Folic acid is a synthetic form of the B vitamin folate. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements,...
Blood vessels, along with the heart and blood, make up part of the circulatory system. At the center of this system is the heart, which pumps blood through the body. The blood carries nutrients, oxygen, and waste products (such as carbon dioxide)...
The cornea makes up the front window of the eye, and helps focus light for good, clear vision. The cornea also has the responsibility of protecting the eye from outside particles. All five layers of the cornea receive nutrients from the tear film...
Zinc is a mineral found naturally in certain foods and is essential to the cellular health of the human body. Its effects range from being a key factor in growth, to being a required ingredient for a healthy immune system. One particular role that...
Pomegranate is a fruit of the Punica granatum tree that has been used for thousands of years to treat indigestion and improve heart health. People often drink pomegranate juice instead of fresh pomegranate, and drinking pomegranate juice might...
