Unit 3 Reflection

In Unit 3, the whole idea was focused on the cardiovascular system and cardiovascular health. The cardiovascular system not only includes the circulatory system, but other systems such as the endocrine system and the respiratory system. The cardiovascular system works by receiving blood from the body. Through the superior and inferior vena cavas, the heart pumps into the right atria, through the tricuspid valve, and into the right ventricle. Blood then leaves into the veins to be oxygenized, and return through the pulmonary arteries into the left atrium, through the bicuspid valve, and into the left ventricle. The blood will then be pumped out the aorta and back into the body, where it will restart the whole process. 

Cardiovascular health is a whole new topic that requires much attention, especially for us Americans. Cardiovascular health is when the heart is rid of plaque and other diseases so that it can pump blood regularly without any problems. Often, the top cardiovascular diseases include atherosclerosis, stroke,  heart disease, and many more. Such diseases are often caused due to poor diet habits and lack of exercise. If we do not work our heart hard enough, it will become lazy and slow, and we will be suspect to a heart disease. Diets high in fat and cholesterol can also cause heart diseases, since plaque caused by items such as LDL cholesterol can clog vessels and slow the circulation of blood. What I want to learn more about is if it's possible to feel the symptoms of heart disease at such a young age? Recently, my right foot has felt tight, and the vessel in my foot always feels like it's thinning out, which was a cause of concern for me. 

One of the successes of this unit was participating in the sheep heart dissection, which I much enjoyed since I love dissection labs. However, one of the setbacks for this unit was not having a temp check, which left me to ponder what areas am I strong in and what areas am I weak in? It all ties back to my Unit 2 Reflection, where I promised myself to finish the notes early and complete the study guide to help prepare for future unit tests. However, I have yet to complete those, simply due to extracurricular activities such as football. For the remainder of the year, I would like to maintain my grade or possibly improve it, and study more of anatomy and physiology outside the classroom to see how it connects to the real world.