Each year, smoking kills more than 400,000 Americans. Almost half of these people -- about 180,000 -- die from diseases of the heart or arteries, such as heart attacks or strokes.
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What does the circulatory system do?
The circulatory system's job is to pump blood through the entire body. The heart (coronary circulation), lungs (pulmonary circulation), and blood vessels (systemic circulation or the rest of the circulatory system) make up the "circuit" of the circulatory system. Blood moving from your heart delivers oxygen and other nutrients to all parts of the body. Then, coming back from the body, the blood picks up waste products (carbon dioxide) so that your body can get rid of them. There are two types of blood vessels -- arteries and veins. Arteries are the tubes that carry oxygen-rich blood away from your heart and veins are the tubes that bring oxygen-poor blood back to the heart. Red blood cells, white cells (part of your immune system), the colorless liquid plasma, and platelets (cells that help the body repair itself after injury) are what blood is made of.
Why is the circulatory system important?
The circulatory system acts as a delivery system. Originating in the heart, the system sends out nutrients to all parts of the body that are necessary for the body to perform its functions as well as take away waste products that the body does not need.
