What is the cardiovascular system, and what is its conduction system?
The cardiovascular system refers to all the structures responsible for the heart’s pumping function: the myocardium (contractile muscle tissue), heart valves, and the intrinsic electrical conduction system. It is this conduction system that coordinates the sequence of contractions in the heart’s four chambers and maintains a regular rhythm. Any acute cardiac symptom warrants calling 15 immediately. Additional support products are available in the store’s cardiovascular health line.
- Electrical conduction system: sinus node (natural pacemaker—right atrium—60 to 100 bpm) → atrioventricular (AV) node (physiological delay of 120 to 200 ms allowing ventricular filling) → His bundle → right and left branches → Purkinje fibers (simultaneous activation of both ventricles)—any abnormality in this circuit causes an arrhythmia
- Pumping sequence: atrial contraction (atrial systole) → opening of the mitral and tricuspid valves → ventricular filling → ventricular contraction (ventricular systole) → ejection of blood into the aorta and pulmonary artery → relaxation (diastole) → next cycle
- Indicators of cardiac health: heart rate (60–100 bpm at rest) — see heart rhythm — blood pressure (normal < 120/80 mmHg) — see blood pressure — ejection fraction (normal EF ≥ 55%)
What conditions affect the cardiovascular system, and how are they diagnosed?
- Coronary arterydisease and heart attack: narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries → myocardial ischemia — warning signs (chest pain radiating to the left arm or jaw, cold sweats, nausea, shortness of breath) → call 15 immediately
- Arrhythmias: heart rhythm disorders — tachycardia (> 100 bpm), bradycardia (< 60 bpm if symptomatic), atrial fibrillation (irregular rhythm — high risk of thromboembolism) — see palpitations and tachycardia
- Congestive heart failure: inadequate ventricular pumping → fluid accumulation in the lungs (orthopnea, dyspnea at rest) and peripherally (ankle edema, weight gain) — specialized medical care required
- Cardiac diagnostic tests: ECG (12-lead — electrical tracing) — echocardiography (structure, valves, LVEF) — exercise testing (exertional ischemia) — 24–48-hour Holter ECG (intermittent arrhythmias) — cardiac catheterization (coronary angiography — direct visualization of the coronary arteries + measurement of intracavitary pressures — angioplasty + stenting if necessary) — performed by a cardiologist
- High blood pressure and the cardiovascular system: chronic hypertension → left ventricular hypertrophy → diastolic stiffness → heart failure with preserved ejection fraction — seehigh blood pressure
How can you maintain a healthy heart?
These supplements support a healthy lifestyle—they do not treat diagnosed heart conditions and are not a substitute for prescribed medications. Medical advice is essential for patients with existing heart conditions.
- Heart-healthy diet: Mediterranean diet — omega-3 EPA-DHA (fatty fish 2–3 times per week — EFSA health claim regarding cardiac function) — reduced salt intake (< 5 g/day) and saturated fats
- Physical activity: 150 min/week (WHO) — improves left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), reduces resting heart rate, and strengthens the autonomic nervous system
- Magnesium: cofactor for the excitability of the conduction system — deficiency associated with arrhythmias and palpitations — 300 to 400 mg/day of bisglycinate
- Coenzyme Q10: mitochondrial cofactor for cardiomyocytes — levels reduced by statins and aging — 100 to 200 mg/day of ubiquinol — see heart conditions
- Hawthorn: Cardiovascular tonic — well-established safety profile — Contraindicated with antiarrhythmics and digoxin — see cardiovascular system
