The circulatory system circulates blood around the body using the heart, blood vessels, and arteries. It is connected to the respiratory system, which exchanges carbon dioxide and oxygen as blood passes through the lungs. The stages of circulation include blood leaving the heart, traveling through arteries, circulating oxygen to the body, and returning to the heart through veins to be refreshed. Disorders of the circulatory system include hypertension (high blood pressure), cardiomyopathy (weakened heart muscles), and coronary artery disease (plaque buildup in arteries).