The cardiovascular system transports nutrients and removes waste through the circulatory network. It consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood. The heart pumps blood through arteries, capillaries, and veins. Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart while veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Blood vessels have different structures depending on their size and location in the body. The cardiovascular system enables gas exchange, nutrient delivery, and waste removal to sustain life.