The heart of the matter
MEET THE EXPERT
After spending five years in practice near Newmarket, LIS WATSON MRCVS joined Clevedale Vets in May 2014. Lis enjoys a variety of equine practice, but is particularly interested in all aspects of internal medicine and anaesthesia. She holds an RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice in equine internal medicine.
THE HEART IS the body’s pump a muscle that contracts in a coordinated way to ensure that blood circulates continuously around the body. Continuous circulation allows oxygen and nutrients to be delivered to cells and also enables waste products, including carbon dioxide, to be removed.
Circulation can be divided into two separate parts:
Pulmonary circulation pushes the blood through the lungs, allowing oxygen to be picked up by the red blood cells and carbon dioxide to be expelled. Systemic circulation delivers blood to the entire body via a network of arteries,
