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Elvina CH 2

This literature review explores knowledge about the cardiovascular system and hypertension. It begins with an overview of the cardiovascular system, including its main components like the heart, blood vessels, blood, and circulation. The heart pumps blood through arteries and veins, while the lungs and tissues exchange gases and nutrients via capillaries. Hypertension disrupts this system and requires careful nursing care to manage. The goal is to emphasize the important role of nursing in effectively treating conditions like hypertension.

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Solomon Fallah Foa Sandy
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31 views

Elvina CH 2

This literature review explores knowledge about the cardiovascular system and hypertension. It begins with an overview of the cardiovascular system, including its main components like the heart, blood vessels, blood, and circulation. The heart pumps blood through arteries and veins, while the lungs and tissues exchange gases and nutrients via capillaries. Hypertension disrupts this system and requires careful nursing care to manage. The goal is to emphasize the important role of nursing in effectively treating conditions like hypertension.

Uploaded by

Solomon Fallah Foa Sandy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW
Hypertension, characterized by consistently elevated blood pressure levels, is a widespread
worldwide health issue that impacts numerous people. Due to its strong connection to
cardiovascular problems, strokes, and kidney issues, managing hypertension requires careful
attention. Nurses are crucial in preventing, spotting early signs, and providing continuous
care for individuals with hypertension. This review of literature explores the current body of
knowledge about the cardiovascular system and hypertension. Its goal is to emphasize the
essential part that nursing actions play in efficiently handling this condition.

Overview of the cardiovascular system


The cardiovascular system, often referred to as the circulatory system, is a complex network
of organs, vessels, and tissues responsible for the circulation of blood throughout the body. It
plays a vital role in supplying oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and other essential substances to
cells while removing metabolic waste products. This system consists of two main
components: the heart and the blood vessels.
The Heart:
The heart is a muscular organ located in the chest, slightly to the left of the midline. It
functions as the central pump of the cardiovascular system, driving the circulation of blood
throughout the body. The heart consists of four chambers: two atria (the left and right atrium)
and two ventricles (the left and right ventricle).
Atria: The atria are thin-walled chambers that receive blood returning to the heart. The right
atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body's systemic circulation, while the left
atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs through the pulmonary circulation.
Ventricles: The ventricles are thick-walled chambers responsible for pumping blood out of
the heart. The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary circulation to
receive oxygen in the lungs, while the left ventricle pumps oxygen-rich blood into the
systemic circulation to supply the entire body.
The heart's rhythmic contractions, regulated by electrical impulses, create the pulsatile flow
of blood through the circulatory system.

Blood Vessels:
Blood vessels form an extensive network that transports blood throughout the body. There are
three main types of blood vessels:
Arteries: Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body's tissues and
organs. They have thick, muscular walls that help maintain blood pressure and regulate blood
flow. The largest artery in the body is the aorta, which originates from the left ventricle and
branches into smaller arteries.
Veins: Veins return deoxygenated blood from the body's tissues back to the heart. They have
thinner walls than arteries and are equipped with one-way valves that prevent blood from
flowing backward. Veins ultimately merge into the superior and inferior vena cava, which
return blood to the right atrium of the heart.
Capillaries: Capillaries are tiny, thin-walled vessels that connect arteries and veins within
tissues. They facilitate the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products between the
blood and surrounding cells. Capillaries are where oxygen is delivered to tissues and carbon
dioxide is removed.
Blood:
Blood is the fluid medium that circulates through the cardiovascular system. It is composed
of several components:
Red Blood Cells (RBCs): Red blood cells, or erythrocytes, are responsible for carrying
oxygen from the lungs to tissues and transporting carbon dioxide, a waste product of
metabolism, back to the lungs for elimination. RBCs contain the protein hemoglobin, which
binds to oxygen.
White Blood Cells (WBCs): White blood cells, or leukocytes, play a crucial role in the
immune system, defending the body against infections and foreign invaders.
Platelets: Platelets are cell fragments that assist in blood clotting. They help seal damaged
blood vessels and prevent excessive bleeding.
Plasma: Plasma is the liquid component of blood and makes up the majority of blood volume.
It contains water, electrolytes, proteins (such as albumin and globulins), hormones, and waste
products.
Circulation:
Blood circulates through the cardiovascular system in two main circuits:
Systemic Circulation: This circuit carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle of the heart
to the body's tissues and returns deoxygenated blood to the right atrium. It supplies oxygen
and nutrients to all body organs and systems.
Pulmonary Circulation: Pulmonary circulation carries deoxygenated blood from the right
ventricle to the lungs, where it receives oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. Oxygenated
blood is then returned to the left atrium and ventricle before being pumped into the systemic
circulation.
The cardiovascular system's ability to maintain a continuous, balanced flow of blood is
crucial for sustaining life. It is intricately regulated by various mechanisms, including
autonomic nervous system control, hormonal influences, and local factors within tissues.
Disruptions in this system, such as hypertension, can have profound effects on overall health
and require diligent nursing care and intervention.

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