ABSTRACT
The primary function of the cardiovascular system is to provide an adequate flow of blood at an appropriate pressure to the body’s organs and tissues. The system must respond to changes in the demand of blood flow caused by activities such as exercise and digestion; it also has to adapt to chronic changes originated by diseases and aging. Blood vessels contract or dilate to redistribute the flow of blood, increasing or decreasing respectively. The wall thickness of these vessels changes in response to stress levels, thickening in the presence of higher stresses.
