Describe the function of the cardiovascular system and the respiratory system and how they work together

The cardiovascular system consists of the blood, heart, and blood vessels. The
respiratory system plays an essential role in transporting oxygen from the atmosphere to the
bloodstream. The oxygen is then transported by the cardiovascular system to be used by various
cells, tissues, and organs. (Colbert, Ankney, & Lee, 2013 The respiratory system ensures that
the body gets rid of carbon dioxide. The cardiovascular system and the respiratory system work
together to ensure that body tissues and cells get oxygen and that carbon dioxide is eliminated from
the body.
Describe how the cardiovascular system adjusts to meet the demands of exercise. Use
appropriate terminology such as stroke volume, respiration, and pulse.
One of the changes that occur in the cardiovascular system is an increase in the heart rate.
The stroke volume also increases to keep up with the exercises. The increase in heart rate and
stroke help ensure that the muscles get enough oxygenated blood. One also increases the breaths

per minute in order to ensure that the lungs sufficiently supply oxygen to the blood. The
increased demand for oxygen means that one needs to increase the breathing rate to ensure that
they get sufficient oxygen.
Describe why an untrained person’s heart rate and breathing rate would take longer to return to a
resting rate compared to a person who is in good physical condition.
Physical exercise improves cardiac function. Through engaging in physical activity for a
longer period of time, one’s resting heart rate declines (Reimers, Knapp, & Reimers, 2018).
People who are not fit do not have improved cardiac functioning, and this means that they take
longer to return to rest rate.
Explain the relationship between heart rate and breathing rate during physical activity.
The body cells respire more during physical activity than is the case during rest. The
heart rate increases in response to the new workload. During physical activity, the breathing rate
and depth increase. The lungs work more and faster to supply the needed oxygen to the
bloodstream. This is usually a response to the increased activity of the body. The breathing rate
may increase from 15 breaths per minute, which is the typical resting rate, to approximately 45
breaths per minute (Radhakrishnan et al., 2017). The body removes more carbon dioxide from
the blood, as more oxygen is absorbed.
Discuss contributing factors to coronary artery disease (CAD).  Explain how CAD leads to
dysfunction of the cardiovascular system.
CAD develops when the major blood vessels are either diseased or damaged.
Specifically, these vessels are tasked with supplying blood to the heart. There are several
contributing factors to CAD. These include smoking, diabetes, low HDL cholesterol, high LDL

cholesterol, family history, obesity, being above 45 years for men ad being post-menopausal for
women, and high blood pressure (Hajar, 2017). The coronary arteries supply oxygen, nutrients,
and blood to the heart. Plaque may build-up due to the contributing factors listed above. When
this happens, the arteries become narrow, thus decreasing the amount of blood that flows to the
heart. The reduced flow of blood may lead to shortness of breath, angina, or other coronary
symptoms. When the coronary arteries block, one may experience a heart attack. The plaques
build up over a long time. By the time an individual notices a significant blockage or heart attack
has already occurred.
Discuss contributing factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Explain how
COPD leads to dysfunction of the respiratory system.
COPD causes obstructed airflow from the lungs due to inflammation of this organ.
Contributing factors of COPD include breathing secondhand smoke, exposure to air pollution,
working with chemicals, dust and fumes; a history of childhood respiratory infection, Alpha-1
deficiency, which is a genetic condition, age, one is more likely to develop the disease as they
get older, gender, smoking, and certain medical conditions (Postma et al., 2015).
During breathing, inhaled air travels into the lungs and trachea through bronchi. While
inside the lungs, oxygen contains din the inhaled air passes into the blood vessels through air
sacs, which have very thin walls comprising of tiny blood vessels. During this process, carbon
dioxide is exhaled. The bronchial tubes and air sacs have natural elasticity. The lungs rely on this
natural elasticity to force air out of the body (Postma et al., 2015). COPD or inflammation of the
lungs causes the air sacs and bronchial tubes to lose their natural elasticity. Consequently,
expanding and failing to remove all the air from the lungs. During exhalation, some air is left
trapped in the lungs.

References

Colbert, B. J., Ankney, J., & Lee. K. T. (2013). Anatomy, physiology, & disease: An interactive
journey for health professionals (2nd ed.). Boston: MA. Pearson Education.
Hajar, R. (2017). Risk factors for coronary artery disease: historical perspectives. Heart views:
the official journal of the Gulf Heart Association, 18(3), 109.
Postma, D. S., Bush, A., & van den Berge, M. (2015). Risk factors and early origins of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease. The Lancet, 385(9971), 899-909.
Radhakrishnan, K., Sharma, V. K., & Subramanian, S. K. (2017). Does treadmill running
performance, heart rate and breathing rate response during maximal graded exercise
improve after volitional respiratory muscle training?. British journal of sports medicine.
Reimers, A. K., Knapp, G., & Reimers, C. D. (2018). Effects of exercise on the resting heart rate:
a systematic review and meta-analysis of interventional studies. Journal of clinical
medicine, 7(12), 503.