Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Overview of the Cardiovascular System

Overview of the Cardiovascular System

The cardiovascular system is a vital transportation system in the body. It comprises the heart and blood vessels and facilitates the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products.
Heart
The heart is the central pump of the cardiovascular system that circulates blood throughout the body. It comprises two atria receiving the blood and two ventricles pumping blood out of the heart. Their rhythmic contractions, called heartbeats, ensure that blood flow remains continuous.
Blood Vessels
Blood...

Anatomy of the Circulatory System

Anatomy of the Circulatory System

The human circulatory system consists of blood, blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart, around the body, and back to the heart, and the heart itself, which acts as a central pump. The systemic circuit supplies blood to the whole body, the coronary circuit supplies blood to the heart, and the pulmonary circuit supplies blood flow between the heart and lungs.

Regulation of the Cardiovascular System

Regulation of the Cardiovascular System

The regulation of the cardiovascular system allows the body to adapt to various demands and maintain homeostasis.
The regulation of the cardiovascular system involves the autonomic nervous system (ANS), baroreceptors, and chemoreceptors, ensuring that heart rate and blood pressure are appropriately modulated in response to varying physiological demands.
The ANS comprises two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system enhances...

Overview of the Heart

Overview of the Heart

The heart, a muscular organ located in the chest, functions as the body's pump, circulating blood through the vascular system. It has four chambers: two atria on top and two ventricles below. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body and passes it to the right ventricle, which pumps it to the lungs for oxygenation. The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and transfers it to the left ventricle, which pumps it to the rest of the body.
The heart's structure...

Anatomy of the Heart

Anatomy of the Heart

The human heart is made up of three layers of tissue that are surrounded by the pericardium, a membrane that protects and confines the heart. The outermost layer, closest to the pericardium, is the epicardium. The pericardial cavity separates the pericardium from the epicardium. Beneath the epicardium is the myocardium, the middle layer, and the endocardium, the innermost layer. There are four chambers of the heart: the right atrium, the right ventricle, the left atrium, and the left ventricle.

Anatomy of the Heart

Anatomy of the Heart

The heart is a hollow, muscular organ approximately the size of a fist, consisting of four chambers. It is enclosed in the pericardium, a fibrous sac with two layers: the visceral and parietal pericardium, separated by a fluid-filled space containing serous fluid to reduce friction.
The heart has three layers: the innermost endocardium, the muscular myocardium, and the outer epicardium, all working together for optimal cardiac function.
Chambers of the Heart
The heart is made up of four...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Leisure-Time Physical Activity on Age-Modelled Trajectories of Body Mass Index and Obesity Risk Throughout Life: Multivariable Regression and Mendelian Randomization Analyses Using Electronic Health Record Data From the CORDELIA-Catalunya Study.

Diabetes, obesity & metabolism·2026

Same author

Sex Differences in Long COVID Prevalence Over One year After the Acute Phase, and Related Risk Factors. The GINA-COVID Cohort Study.

International journal of women's health·2026

Same author

Aerobic Fitness and Health-Related Phenotypes: A Two-Stage Phenome-Wide Mendelian Randomization Study.

Medicine and science in sports and exercise·2026

Same author

Early Response to a Behavioral Community-Based Educational Intervention on Cardiovascular Risk Profile and Well-Being.

JACC. Advances·2026

Same author

Utilizing existing test results to improve primary prevention in patients with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis: The USE-IT study.

American journal of preventive cardiology·2026

Same author

Declining 28-day population myocardial infarction case-fatality trends in Catalonia, Spain: an analysis of the possible contribution of emergency management network.

European journal of public health·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis

Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis

Published on: September 26, 2018

[The HERACLES Cardiovascular Network].

Jaume Marrugat¹, José R López-López, Magdalena Heras

¹Instituto Municipal de Investigación Médica (IMIM-Hospital del Mar). Barcelona. España. jmarrugat@imim.es.

Revista Espanola De Cardiologia

|January 29, 2008

Summary

Researchers investigated arterial hypertension (AH) mechanisms and genetics, focusing on ion channels in arterial smooth muscle. The HERACLES network identified key pathways and aims to discover new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for AH.

More Related Videos

Anatomical Reconstructions of the Human Cardiac Venous System using Contrast-computed Tomography of Perfusion-fixed Specimens

Anatomical Reconstructions of the Human Cardiac Venous System using Contrast-computed Tomography of Perfusion-fixed Specimens

Published on: April 18, 2013

A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Published on: April 19, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis

Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis

Published on: September 26, 2018

Anatomical Reconstructions of the Human Cardiac Venous System using Contrast-computed Tomography of Perfusion-fixed Specimens

Anatomical Reconstructions of the Human Cardiac Venous System using Contrast-computed Tomography of Perfusion-fixed Specimens

Published on: April 18, 2013

A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Published on: April 19, 2019

Area of Science:

Multidisciplinary research integrating cell electrophysiology, cardiology, genetics, epidemiology, proteomics, molecular biology, bioinformatics, and statistics.
Focus on ion channel regulation in arterial smooth muscle function and vascular physiology.

Context:

Arterial hypertension (AH) is a complex condition with multifactorial origins.
The HERACLES network was established in 2002 to investigate the mechanisms and genetics of AH.
Knowledge transfer between clinical practice and basic research ('bedside to bench' and 'bench to bedside') is a core principle.

Purpose:

To elucidate the roles of Ca2+-dependent K+ channels, transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channels, and Ca2+-dependent Cl- channels in vascular physiology.
To analyze protein expression maps in plasma and cardiovascular tissue for therapeutic significance.
To investigate the effects of flavonoids on ion transport and oxidative stress responses.
To identify biomarkers for risk, prognosis, and treatment response in extreme AH phenotypes.

Summary:

The HERACLES network has identified mechanisms of arterial hypertension related to ion channel regulation in arterial smooth muscle.
Current research focuses on specific ion channels, protein expression, flavonoid effects, and biomarker discovery.
The network has a strong publication record and has secured significant research funding.

Impact:

Advancing the understanding of arterial hypertension pathogenesis through a multidisciplinary approach.
Facilitating the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and personalized treatment strategies for hypertension.
Contributing to the development of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for AH.
Establishing a robust research network with extensive funding and a DNA biobank for future studies.