The cardiovascular system is composed of the heart, the vasculature, and blood. The heart serves as a pump that ejects blood into the circulation, and this muscular action supplies the pressure that propels the blood throughout the body. The vasculature includes arteries and veins, which carry blood away from and back to the heart, respectively. The cardiovascular system works together with the pulmonary system as a functional unit to transport oxygen and nutrients to and remove carbon dioxide and other waste products from all tissues in the body. The cardiovascular system readily adapts following chronic aerobic exercise training. The overall importance of aerobic exercise training is highlighted by favorable changes in cardiovascular disease risk factors that occur with habitual exercise.

Cardiovascular Disease and Physical Activity

Diseases ...

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