Jeffrey S. Lander, MD, is a board-certified cardiologist and the President and Governor of the American College of Cardiology, New Jersey chapter.
The heart is a complex organ. It uses four chambers, four valves, and many blood vessels to provide blood to the body. Blood flow itself is equally complex. It's a cycle that moves blood through the heart and to the lungs to get oxygen. It's then delivered throughout the body and brought back to the heart to restart the process.
The key function of the cardiovascular system is to consume, transport, and use oxygen whether you're moving or at rest. When blood flow is disrupted, there are serious health effects.
This article takes apart that complex process step by step. It also explains how blood flow can be disrupted.
The heart has two upper chambers—the left and right atriums—and two larger lower chambers—the left and right ventricles. A series of valves act like doorways to control blood flow in and out of these chambers.
The cardiac conduction system sends out electric impulses to make the heart muscle contract and relax. Those pulses set the rate and rhythm of your heartbeat.
Here are the steps of blood flow through the heart and lungs:
Arteries generally transport oxygen-rich blood. The pulmonary artery is unique. It is the only artery in the body that carries oxygen-poor blood.
Without valves, the ventricles of the heart couldn’t build up any force or pressure. It would be like pumping up a flat tire with a huge hole in it. No matter how much effort you put into pumping, the tire would never inflate.
In the case of the heart, blood would come into the chamber and just slosh through it. It would exit the valve at the bottom or upward in the wrong direction each time the ventricle tried to pump blood.
All four of the heart valves open and close at just the right times to keep the blood flowing through the heart in the right direction. Part of the sound of your heartbeat is valves closing.
The four chambers and valves of the heart work together to pump blood through the body using a network of blood vessels. Blood enters the two chambers on the right side of the heart. From there, it's carried to the lungs to gather oxygen. Oxygen-rich blood travels from the lungs into the left side of the heart. The heart pumps it into blood vessels that deliver it to the rest of the body.
A healthy heart normally beats anywhere from 60 to 70 times per minute when you're at rest. This rate can be higher or lower depending on your health and physical fitness. Athletes generally have a lower resting heart rate, for example.
Your heart rate rises when you move. That's because your muscles use oxygen while they work. The heart works harder to bring oxygenated blood where it is needed.
If you have an irregular heartbeat or cardiac symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath, seek medical help immediately.
Disrupted or irregular heartbeats can affect blood flow through the heart. This can happen in many ways:
Lots of factors can influence blood flow. Movement, emotion, health, and fitness can affect your heart rate. Problems in your heart's electrical system can lead to irregular heartbeats. And blocks in your blood vessels or valve damage can disrupt healthy blood flow.
Blood flow is a cycle that involves your lungs, heart chambers, valves, and blood vessels. Electrical pulses make your heart muscles squeeze and release. That action pushes blood through the two chambers on the right side of your heart and out to the lungs where it gathers oxygen.
A vein then carries that oxygen-rich blood into the left side of the heart. The two chambers on the left thrust the blood into arteries that carry blood and oxygen to the whole body.
When any part of that complex system breaks down, your body suffers from the lack of oxygen. Arrhythmia, valve disorders, and blockages in your heart or blood vessels can cause serious health problems. They may come on gradually or suddenly.
Healthy blood flow is critical to overall health. Physical activity is one of the best ways to make sure your heart and lungs can function well over time.
If you have health issues, partner with your healthcare provider to determine the best way to keep your heart rate and rhythm—and your blood flow—healthy. It's one of the most important things you can do for a long life.
Blood flows through the heart in two directions at the same time. De-oxygenated blood enters the right side of the heart and is pumped towards the lungs to pick up oxygen. Then that oxygen-rich blood re-enters the heart on the left side and is pumped out to the cells of the body.
Exercise and movement force your heart to beat faster and raise your heart rate. Many factors can also affect your resting heart rate. These include:
Yes, exercise does improve blood flow. Exercise strengthens your heart muscle so it works more efficiently and supports blood flow. Exercise also helps you maintain a healthy weight. It reduces your risk of high cholesterol and high blood sugar, and improves blood vessel function. These factors help your blood circulate effectively.
Did you know the most common forms of heart disease are largely preventable? Our guide will show you what puts you at risk, and how to take control of your heart health.
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National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Conduction Disorders.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How the Heart Works.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. How the Heart Works.
American Heart Association. All About Heart Rate (Pulse).
Pinckard K, Baskin KK, Stanford KI. Effects of exercise to improve cardiovascular health. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2019;6:69. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2019.00069
The Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital. Heart Anatomy.
YourHeartValve.com/Edwards Lifesciences. Basic Anatomy and Function of the Heart.
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