Exploring the Human Heart

The heart serves as the base of the circulatory system and is an arrangement of blood vessels that carry blood to every part of the body. Oxygen and other important nutrients in the blood are vital for the organs of the human body to work correctly. The heart is the hardest working muscle in the body. On average, the heart will beat more than two and a half billion times without ever taking a break. It is this fascination with the human heart that makes it one of the most widely studied and researched part of our bodies. Look to the following resources to learn more about the anatomy of the heart, its function within out bodies, how to keep it healthy, how monitor it throughout life, and what types of conditions and diseases can effect it. 

Heart Anatomy

The heart is located in the upper chest inside the center of the body between the lungs. It beats around 100,000 times a day, weighs about 7-15 ounces, and is a little larger than the size of a fist. The heart pumps around 2,000 gallons of blood through the body. The sac of the heart is covered with a membrane called the pericardium. The outer layer of the heart is attached by ligaments to different parts of the body that holds it into place. Inside of the two layers is a fluid that allows the heart to move but still remain connected to the body.

Heart Function

The heart is separated into two sides. The right side receives oxygen through the blood veins and pumps it to the lungs. From the lungs, it picks up oxygen and gets rid of the carbon dioxide. The left side of the heart receives blood filled with oxygen from the lungs and sends it to the rest of the body. The job of the heart is to pump blood continuously through the body sending the organs the oxygen and nutrients they need.

Heart Health

It is up to each individual to keep a healthy heart. Heart Disease is the greatest cause of death in America. Making simple changes in your lifestyle can prevent cardiovascular problems for the future and will give yourself a longer life. Taking care of your heart includes exercising, not smoking, and watching your diet, among other things.

Heart Monitoring

It is important for a person to monitor their heart. It is very important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Blood pressure machines are sold locally in the store or you can have someone monitor it for you from your doctors office or the fire department. When exercising, you should monitor your heart by taking your pulse rate. A doctor has different ways to monitor your heart starting with simply touching down on a persons chest wall to performing tests to evaluate the function of your heart.

Heart Condition

Studies show every 20 seconds a person suffers from a heart attack and every 34 seconds, someone in the United States dies from Heart Disease. A heart attack occurs when the heart muscle is destroyed because it has not got generated enough oxygenated blood. Various examples of Heart Disease include Cardiomyopathy, Hypertension, Cardiovascular Heart Disease, and Ischemic Heart Disease. All of these conditions should be monitored by a cardiologist.

  • Hypertension- Information on hypertension and how it affects the body.