What is Pulmonary Circulation and Systemic Circulation | Sai Hospital, Haldwani

The human body can be described as a complex web of systems where every one of them plays a crucial role in maintaining existence. The circulatory system should be acknowledged as one of the major pillars since it is through this that the body transports oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste materials. The core of this system is two significant systems – the pulmonary circulation and the systemic circulation. It is important the realize how we all strive to balance our bodies and remain healthy with what is Pulmonary Circulation and Systemic Circulation in our bodies, brought to you by Sai Hospital.

What is Pulmonary Circulation and Systemic Circulation?

In addressing the question, What is Pulmonary Circulation and Systemic Circulation? – These are the two major channels of blood flow inside a body and have particular functions and directions.

Pulmonary Circulation – The Lungs’ Oxygen Exchange

Lungs are the oxygen carriers to every part of the body, which are regulated by the Pulmonary Circulation.

The path through which blood is transported by the heart to the lungs and back is the pulmonary circulation. Its main role is to replace oxygen with carbon dioxide or oxygenate the blood before it travels into the rest of the body.

Circulation Pathway of the Pulmonary Heart

• The body’s oxygenated blood is sent to the heart to the right atrium.
• This blood is pumped to the right ventricle.
• The right ventricle pumps, propagating blood into the pulmonary artery to the lungs.
• Within the lungs, the blood flows in a network of alveolar capillaries surrounded by the alveoli (your tiny sacs of air).
• In this case, the carbon dioxide in blood is transferred to the alveoli to allow its release, and the inhaled air oxygen is transported to the blood.
• Filled with oxygen, this blood flows back to the heart through the pulmonary veins, and the circulation is complete, with the blood being returned to the heart through these veins to the left atrium of the heart.

The process is vital to sustain the amounts of oxygen needed in the cellular metabolism and to get the waste substance (carbon dioxide) out of the body.

Systemic Circulation – Transport of Oxygen to the Body

Systemic circulation is the route through which the oxygenated blood, pumped by the heart, is sent to the rest of the body, and deoxygenated blood to the heart.

Pathway of Systemic Circulation –

• Blood that contains oxygen comes in through the lungs and flows to the left atrium.
• It then flows into the left ventricle, which is the most powerful chamber of the heart.
• The left ventricle carries blood to the largest vessel of the body, known as the aorta.
• As the blood flows along, it moves through increasingly small arteries, arterioles, and lastly through capillaries and reaches every cell of the body.
• It is here in the capillaries that the oxygen and other nutrients pass to the tissues, whilst the carbon dioxide and other waste materials pass to the blood.
• The veins take up deoxygenated blood and send it back to the right atrium of the heart, where it is once again ready to flow into the pulmonary circulation process.

The systemic circulation is tasked with the role of supplying all tissues in the body with nutrients, maintaining organ functions, as well as eliminating metabolic wastes.

Key Differences – Pulmonary vs. Systemic Circulation

Both systems are connected and vital to life. Pulmonary circulation helps the oxygenation of blood, whereas the systemic circulation does the same by supplying oxygen to the body.

How Do Pulmonary and Systemic Circulations Work Together?

What is Pulmonary Circulation and Systemic Circulation also entails the realization that they are related. The heart is a core pump that keeps a steady and closed circulation of blood. This is how the cycle would work –

• The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body.
• Blood enters the right ventricle, which sends it to the pulmonary artery and the lungs (pulmonary circulation).
• Blood transports carbon dioxide out of the body and takes oxygen in the lungs.
• Blood containing oxygen goes back to the left atrium and to the left ventricle.
• This blood is pumped into the aorta by the left ventricle, which sends this blood to the rest of the body (systemic circulation).
• Blood is then pumped back to the right atrium as oxygen is transported, and wastes are gathered, and the cycle can continue.

Clinical Significance – When Circulation Goes Wrong

At the Sai Hospital, Haldwani, what is pulmonary circulation and systemic circulation form the basis of the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory-cardiovascular diseases. For example –

• Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension – High blood pressure in the breathing arteries may weaken the correct side of the heart and lessen oxygenation.
• Heart Failure – The impairment of the right or left side of the heart may be disrupted due to the movement of blood into the pulmonary or systemic circuit.
• Pulmonary Embolism – The clotting of blood in the lungs may lead to the blockage of blood circulation, which can cause life-threatening complications.
• Systemic Hypertension – This is a condition whose main cause is an increase in blood pressure in the systemic circulation, which predisposes to a heart attack, stroke, and damage to the organs.

How Sai Hospital, Haldwani Can Help

• Expert Cardiac and Pulmonary Services – Special diagnostics and interventions concerning heart and lung diseases, such as EKG, ECHO, and advanced imaging, will be offered to you to get your circulatory system properly assessed.
• Qualified Experts – The hospital has qualified specialists, cardiologists, and pulmonologists, who are committed to treating the diseases of systemic and pulmonary circulation.
• Patient Centricity – Sai Hospital is an organization that focuses on patient education, enlightening you on all the reasons to live a healthy life through proper blood circulation, and making health decisions.
• Routine Health Check-ups – Regular examination of risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, etc, can identify health issues well in time, as they can be treated at an early age.
• Holistic Care – Whether it is lifestyle counselling or the adoption of advanced medical technologies, Sai Hospital offers care to a wide spectrum of heart or lung issues, and helps you on your road to health.

Conclusion

What is Pulmonary Circulation and Systemic Circulation? These are both the fundamental circuits of the cardiovascular system, and each is characteristic and plays a crucial role in keeping us alive. The pulmonary circulatory system makes sure blood is oxygenated in the lungs, whereas the systemic circulatory one returns oxygen to all the cells in the body. To comprehend how and why the heart and the blood vessels work to sustain our lives, and therefore, the need to take care of your cardiovascular care is essential. For more information or to schedule a cardiovascular check-up, contact Sai Hospital, Haldwani.