This document discusses the relationship between heart and lung function and the interaction between intrathoracic pressures, lung volumes, and blood flow. It begins by explaining that the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems function to link metabolizing cells to oxygen sources. It then discusses how intrathoracic and intramural pressures impact blood flow through collapsible tubes based on principles of fluid dynamics. Changes in surrounding pressures, such as pleural or pericardial pressure, can impact lung volumes, cardiac preload and afterload, and venous return. Understanding these complex interactions is important for critical care.