What is the longest vein in the body? Why are our veins blue? How fast is blood pumped through our body? These are a few of the most common questions about our veins - and some of the answers may surprise you!
Contact us today to request a consultation for vein care in Lone Tree and Colorado Springs at Albert Vein Institute.
Why Are Your Veins Blue?
Your veins are blue because they are showing the color of deoxygenated blood. When your blood comes out of your aorta it is bright red versus when it comes out your vena cava (a large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart) which is a deep black blue. It all has to do with the binding of oxygen on hemoglobin (a porphyrin responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood) so if the oxygen binds to the hemoglobin then the blood is red but if there is no oxygen that binds on the hemoglobin then the blood is blue.
How Much Blood is Pumped By Your Veins in a Day?
The average adult has roughly 2,000 gallons of blood circulate through his or her VEINS and other blood vessels in a single day, which is enough to fill five hot tubs (Arkansas Heart Hospital).
How Fast is Blood Pumped Through Your Body?
Traveling at roughly 3 feet per second, a blood cell in the average person travels through the ENTIRE body in about one minute. This incredible velocity moves about 83 gallons of blood an hour!
What is the Longest Vein in the Body?
Did you know that your Great Saphenous Vein is the longest vein in the human body? Extending from the top of your foot to the upper thigh and groin, THIS vein is the major culprit that causes Varicose Veins.
How Long Are Your Veins and the Rest of Your Circulatory System?
Did you know that if you laid out all of the blood vessels in the average adult (arteries, VEINS, and capillaries), they would be long enough to stretch across the earth over 3 times?