how do the heart and lungs work together

how do the heart and lungs work together

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Nature

The heart and lungs work together closely to supply oxygen to the body and remove carbon dioxide. The right side of the heart collects oxygen-poor blood and pumps it to the lungs, where the blood gets oxygenated and releases carbon dioxide. Then, the oxygen-rich blood returns to the left side of the heart, which pumps it through the arteries to the rest of the body. This continuous cycle between the heart and lungs keeps the body's cells supplied with the oxygen they need and removes waste gases efficiently, completing a full circuit in about 16 seconds and circulating about five quarts of blood per minute.

How the Process Works

  • Oxygen-poor blood enters the right atrium of the heart, then moves to the right ventricle.
  • The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs via the pulmonary artery.
  • In the lungs, blood gets oxygen through tiny alveoli and releases carbon dioxide.
  • Oxygen-rich blood returns to the left atrium of the heart through the pulmonary veins.
  • Blood moves to the left ventricle, which pumps it out through the aorta to the whole body.
  • Blood delivers oxygen to cells and returns deoxygenated to the heart, repeating the cycle.

Importance of the Relationship

The heart and lungs are interdependent; a problem in one often affects the other. For example, heart failure can cause fluid buildup affecting lung function, while lung diseases like COPD can increase blood pressure in lung arteries and strain the heart.

This teamwork between the heart and lungs ensures efficient oxygen delivery and waste removal critical for survival.

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