THE HEART

The heart is one of the most important and hard-working organs in the human body.
Roughly the size of a closed fist, the heart weighs between about 10-12 ounces for men and 8-10
ounces for women. It works tirelessly beating over 100,000 times per day, pumping over 2,000
gallons of blood throughout the body. The heart is located slightly left of center in the chest,
protected by the sternum and ribs. It consists of four chambers – two upper atria which receive
blood, and two lower ventricles which pump blood out. The left and right sides function
independently to carry deoxygenated and oxygenated blood respectively.

Deoxygenated blood returns to the heart from the body via the vena cava into the right
atrium. It then passes through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle which contracts to pump
the blood to the lungs via the pulmonary artery where it picks up oxygen. The oxygen-rich blood
returns from the lungs to the left atrium through the pulmonary veins. It passes through the mitral
valve and fills the left ventricle. This powerful left ventricle then contracts forcefully, squeezing
the blood through the aorta and out to the entire body. This continuous and meticulously
coordinated process keeps blood circulating through the body transporting oxygen, nutrients,
hormones and more to nourish and sustain life. The heart muscle itself relies on this constant
blood flow to also receive oxygen and nutrients to perform its non-stop work.

This remarkable organ amazes with its endurance, strength and regularity. However, like
any repeatedly straining muscle, the heart is also susceptible to various diseases and conditions if
not cared for properly. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, diet, weight and managing stress levels
are important ways to support this vital organ’s functioning for a lifetime.