The cardiovascular system includes the heart, lungs and blood vessels (cardio = heart; vascular = vessels). 

Cardiovascular fitness is a vital aspect of fitness.  It is the ability of the lungs, heart and blood vessels to deliver adequate amounts of oxygen and nutrients to the cells to meet the demands of prolonged physical activity.

THE HEART is a four chambered organ whose walls are made of a unique kind of muscle called 'cardiac' muscle.  It is divided in two by a muscular wall called the septum. 

• The left side of the heart deals with fresh oxygenated blood
• The right side of the heart deals with de-oxygenated blood that has returned from it's journey around the body
• Each side of the heart has an upper and lower chamber:
  • The upper chambers are called the ATRIUM and receive blood (the receiving chambers) - the LEFT ATRIUM receives fresh oxygenated blood from the lungs.  The RIGHT ATRIUM receives de-oxygenated blood from around the body
  • The lower chambers are called VENTRICLES and pump blood (the pumping chambers) - the LEFT VENTRICLE pumps blood into the arteries to supply oxygen to every living cell in the body.  The RIGHT VENTRICLE pumps 'used' blood to the lungs for cleansing and re-oxygenating.
• The heart beats (pumps) 74 times per minute (BPM) on average for the whole of a persons life.  A weaker heart has to beat more often which equates to a higher resting heart rate.  With exercise, the heart becomes stronger and the resting heart rate is lowered.
• Cardiovascular activity is an activity that elevates the heart above it's normal resting, this can be accomplished by aerobic exercise or other heart raising exercises such as running, swimming, skipping etc.  The efficiency of the cardiovascular system can be improved through regular training - Outside the world of paranoia of looking good, there are substantial gains from being active:
• three times less likely to suffer heart attak, thrombosis and hypertension
• two thirds of heart attacks can be avoided

A HEALTHY HEART WILL GREATLY INCREASE OUR CHANCES OF A LONG AND HEALTHY LIFE !