Presenter: Imanor Calcano

Faculty Sponsor: Reena Randhir

School: Springfield Technical Community College

Research Area: Biology

Session: Poster Session 2, 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM, Auditorium, A41

ABSTRACT

Efficient blood circulation is essential to maintain homeostasis in the human body. This is the one-way flow of blood is due to the pumping action of the heart. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the body tissues and simultaneously removes metabolic wastes. Despite its importance people have a limited understanding of the importance of efficient blood circulation for optimal health. The purpose of this study was to explore the importance of blood circulation in the healthy maintenance of cardiovascular system. A literature review of recent scientific articles was conducted using PubMed to study the physiological and clinical effects of the flow of the blood on the cardiovascular system. Studies show that normal cardiac output was found to be 5 L/min in healthy adults, which increased to 15-20 L/min in untrained subjects and up to 30-40 L/min in trained athletes during exercise. This efficient blood circulation was found to be associated with improved systemic functions. Contrarily, poor blood circulation was linked to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. Reduced blood flow causes endothelial dysfunction which is an indicator of cardiovascular disease. Exercise improves this condition by increasing blood flow that enhances nitric oxide bioavailability due to stimulated endothelial nitric oxide synthase. This endothelium derived relaxing factor is a vasodilator that causes underlying smooth muscle to relax, promoting vasodilation and thereby regulating vascular tone. In conclusion, the importance of adequate blood circulation on cardiovascular and overall health cannot be overstated. Increasing awareness of the role of circulation will be beneficial for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.