Heart attack - How your heart moves blood around your body

Heart attack

How your heart moves blood around your body

Two main types of blood vessels work together to carry blood through your body:

arteries
Arteries are the blood vessels that take blood that is rich in oxygen and food away from your heart. The arteries carry this blood to all the tissues in your body.

arteries and

veins
Veins are blood vessels that carry blood back to your heart after your blood has delivered oxygen and food to the tissues.

veins.

Arteries are thick vessels that carry blood to all of the cells in your body after it has picked up oxygen from the lungs.

Arteries (red) carry blood with oxygen away from the heart. Veins (blue) return the blood after oxygen is delivered.

Veins are thinner. They carry blood back from your cells to your heart. From here the blood is pumped to the lungs to pick up more oxygen.

Then, your blood returns to your heart and is pumped out into your body to start the cycle again.

This information was last updated on Apr 09, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

The information on ConsumerReportsHealth.org should not be viewed as a substitute for a consultation with a medical or health professional. The information is meant to enhance communication with your doctor, not replace it. Consumers Union can not be liable for any loss, injury, or other damages related to your use of this information.

Your use of this information is subject to our User Agreement available at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.