The heart’s role in the cardiovascular system is to ensure the uninterrupted circulation of blood in the body. Blood contains oxygen and nutrients that must be distributed throughout the body. It also carries waste away from the tissues for excretion.
Two processes within the heart ensure that blood circulates efficiently. The mechanical system is the driving force behind blood circulation, and the electrical system acts as a switch that tells the heart when and how to pump blood. Without electrical stimuli, the heart cells would not contract.
The heart’s mechanical system can be assessed for adequate pumping by measuring blood pressure and palpating peripheral pulses. The electrical impulses of the heart are measured on an electrocardiogram (ECG).