Today we are going to talk about something very important in our bodies. Just like the pipes that bring water to a house, we have a system of little 'pipes' that carry nutrients and oxygen throughout our bodies. These are what we call arteries, or `(Arteries)` in English. Without these, we would not be able to live.
What types of arteries are there?
Okay, now let's see if there are any types of these arteries. Yes, there are mainly two types. The job of both of these is to carry clean, oxygenated blood from the heart to all the other parts of the body. The first type is
the 'Elastic arteries' . Just think of it like when someone hits a ball at high speed while playing cricket, the person who catches it has to withstand that speed, these arteries also first receive the blood coming from the heart under high pressure. Only then do they pass this blood to other arteries. The second type is
the 'Muscular arteries' . Just like the person who catches the ball and runs to the desired place, these arteries carry the blood to various tissues of the body. Simply put:
- Elastic arteries : These have a lot of elastic fibers. They are stretchy like a rubber band. They are located very close to the heart. Examples include the aorta and the pulmonary artery.
- Muscular arteries : These have more smooth muscle fibers. These are the ones that distribute blood to different parts of the body. Examples include the femoral artery (in the leg), the radial artery (in the arm, near the wrist, where we feel our pulse), and the brachial artery (in the shoulder).
What is the difference between arteries and veins?
Many people confuse arteries and veins. Let's see what the difference is between the two.
Arteries (`(Arteries)`)- These are the ones that take clean, oxygen-rich blood from the heart and distribute it throughout the body.
- Their walls are very strong and muscular because they have to withstand the high pressure of blood that comes in every time the heart beats.
- There are no valves inside the arteries, because the blood only flows in one direction due to the pressure of the blood coming from the heart.
Veins (We also call them veins)
- These are responsible for returning the oxygen-depleted (impure) blood that remains after the body's cells and tissues have used up the oxygen. We also call this ``deoxygenated blood''.
- The walls of veins are thinner than those of arteries because the blood pressure inside them is not as strong as in arteries.
- There are valves inside the veins. These valves stop the blood from flowing backwards.
What happens to the arteries? How do they help other organs?
The main function of arteries is to carry oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood throughout the body. Your heart pumps this oxygenated blood into the largest artery in the body, the
The aorta. From there, this aorta divides into smaller arteries, eventually spreading throughout the body like a network. Just think, this oxygen and nutrition are essential for every organ in our body to function. Arteries supply these things to every organ. In particular, some arteries supply blood to specific organs. Here are a few examples:- Coronary arteries : These are the arteries that supply blood to the heart itself.
- Carotid arteries : These carry blood to the brain, head, face, and neck.
- Vertebral arteries : To the brain and spinal cord.
- Iliac arteries : To the hip area.
- Femoral artery : To the legs.
- Subclavian arteries : To the head, neck, and arms.
- Celiac arteries (`(Celiac arteries)`) and mesenteric arteries (`(mesenteric arteries)`) : To our digestive system.
Some interesting facts about arteries you may not know!
There are some other very surprising things about arteries.- Did you know that arteries receive messages from our central nervous system to 'tighten' or 'open up'? This is what controls our blood pressure , or the speed of blood flow in the arteries. Arteries play a big role in keeping our blood pressure stable. They also control the amount of blood that flows through them. They do both by contracting and relaxing the muscles in the artery walls.
- At any given time , about 10% of the total blood volume in your body is inside your arteries.
- The amazing thing is, the pulmonary artery is the only artery that carries oxygen-poor, or 'dirty', blood. This artery carries blood from the heart to the lungs, where it picks up oxygen.
Where is an artery located? What does it look like? How big is it? What is it made of?
Arteries start with the aorta, which is the large artery that carries blood from the heart. From there, the arteries branch out into smaller channels, like the branches of a tree, and spread throughout the body. Arteries look like tubes . But they have thicker walls and stronger muscles than veins. This is because they have to withstand the pressure of the blood being pumped rapidly by the left ventricle of the heart. Think of it like a heating system in some homes that blows heat through pipes, but these arteries are flexible. In terms of size, your largest artery, the aorta, is about 10 to 25 millimeters (0.4 to 0.9 inches) in diameter.Other arteries can be about 3 to 5 millimeters (0.11 to 0.19 inches) in diameter. The smallest arteries, called arterioles, can be as small as 0.30 to 0.01 millimeters in diameter. Now let's look at what layers arteries are made of. There are three main layers: 1. The inner layer (Tunica intima) : This is a layer of tissue that contains elastic fibers. 2. The middle layer (Tunica media) : This is where most of the smooth muscle is found. This is what allows the arteries to constrict or dilate as needed. 3. The outer layer (Tunica externa) : This is where the other tissues connect. Even the nerves that send messages to the arteries to contract and dilate are connected to this layer. What are the common diseases and conditions that affect the arteries?
Unfortunately, there are various diseases that can damage our arteries. Some of these are:- Atherosclerosis : This is when things like fat and cholesterol build up inside the artery walls, causing the arteries to become narrow.
- Aneurysm : A weakened part of an artery that bulges out like a balloon. It can also burst.
- Blood clot : A blood clot forms inside an artery, obstructing blood flow.
- Coronary artery disease : Atherosclerosis of the arteries that supply blood to the heart.
- Carotid artery disease : Atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries that supply blood to the brain.
- High blood pressure (`(High blood pressure)`)
- High cholesterol (`(High cholesterol )`)
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD) : Narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the limbs.
- Vasculitis : Swelling and inflammation of the artery walls.
What are the common signs or symptoms of arterial diseases?
Many conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, don't show any symptoms in the early stages. Without you knowing, your arteries can gradually harden and become clogged with cholesterol and fat deposits (plaque). These problems can make it difficult for blood to flow through your arteries, causing them to narrow or become completely blocked. Here are some symptoms of artery-related diseases:- Chest pain (`(Chest pain)`)
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Numbness or pain in the limbs
- Shortness of breath
- Stomach pain
- Excessive fatigue/fatigue (`(Tiredness)`)
Important: It is very important to seek medical advice if you have these symptoms, as these can be serious conditions.
What are the common tests done to check the health of the arteries?
There are various imaging tests that help doctors see the condition of your arteries.- Angiography : In this, a special dye is injected into the arteries and an X-ray examination is performed.
- CT scan (`(CT scan / computed tomography)`)
- MRI scan (`(MRI / Magnetic resonance imaging)`)
- Echocardiogram (`(Echocardiogram)`) : An ultrasound test to look at the function of the heart and arteries.
What are the common treatments for arterial diseases?
There are many treatments for diseases that affect the arteries, ranging from medication to surgery.- Lifestyle changes: (We'll talk about this next)
- Medications to lower cholesterol or blood pressure
- Blood thinners
- Medicines that reduce inflammation, for example corticosteroids
- Angioplasty : A procedure to widen a narrowed artery using a balloon-like device. Sometimes a stent is also inserted.
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (`(Coronary artery bypass grafting)`)
- Bypass surgery for other blocked arteries
- Carotid endarterectomy : A surgery to remove fatty deposits in the carotid artery.
Simple things we can do to keep our arteries healthy
Okay, so what can we do to keep those precious arteries we've been talking about healthy? In fact, the same things you do to keep your heart healthy are also good for your arteries. Here are some simple things you can do:- Eat a healthy diet. Avoid foods that contain trans fats and saturated fats. Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fiber.
- Exercise regularly. Do something like walking, running, or swimming for at least 30 minutes a day.
- Completely avoid the use of tobacco products (such as cigarettes and beedis).
- (If you are an adult) Get between seven and nine hours of good sleep every night.
- Manage stress well.Things like meditation, yoga, and engaging in a favorite hobby can help.
- If you have conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, get them treated properly.
- Maintain a healthy body weight.
- If you drink alcohol, limit it.
When most people think of the cardiovascular system, they only think of the heart. But arteries also play a very important role. They are what carry oxygen, nutrients, and other important things to your body through your blood. When you take care of your arteries, they will take care of you!
Remember, high blood pressure and high cholesterol may not show any symptoms in the early stages, so it's important to have regular medical checkups to make sure they are within normal levels. Otherwise, get the necessary treatment for them.
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