The Human heart as one of the Most Important Organ

Written by: Chukwunyere Akunna

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The heart is arguably your most important organ after the brain, making sure that its operating at an optimal level. It is key to a life of health and longevity. The heart is a muscular organ about the size of a fist, located just behind and slightly left of the breast bone. The heart pumps blood through the network of arteries and veins called the cardiovascular system.

Facts about the human heart

The human heart is roughly the size of a large fist. The heart weighs between 10 to 12 ounces [280 to 340 grams] in men and 8 to 10 ounces [230 to 280 grams] in women. The heart beats about 100,000 times per day and [3 million beats in a life time]

An adult heart beats about 60 to 80 times per minute. New born heart beats faster than adult hearts, about 70 to 190 times per minute. The heart pumps about six quarts [5.7 liters] of blood throughout the body. The double – walled sac called the pericardium, encases the heart which serves to protect the heart.

Functions of the Heart

1. The heart pumps blood throughout the body via the circulatory system.
2. It supplies oxygen and nutrients to the tissues.
3. It removes carbon-dioxide and other wastes.
4. The contraction of the auricle and ventricle sends impulse to the purkinje fibres also called the “purkynje fibres”

Purkinje fibers allow the heart's conduction system to create synchronized contractions of its ventricles, and are, therefore, essential for maintaining a consistent heart rhythm.

Heart – Friendly foods

Foods that help build and keep the heart in good shape are: almonds, avocado, beans, blue berries, dark chocolates, garlic, green tea, oatmeal, olive oil, oranges, red wine, spinach, sweet potato and water melon.

Heart exercise

1. A brisk walk for at least 30 minutes a day.
2. Running
3. Jogging
4. Stretching
5. Strength training [you can use weights]
6. Swimming [mostly recommended for those who have joint problems]

Regular exercise help you to

1. Burn calories
2. Lower your blood pressure
3. Reduce Low Density Lipoproteins [LDL] “bad” cholesterol
4. Boost high density Lipoproteins [HDL] “good” cholesterol

Diseases of a neglected heart

1. Rheumatic heart diseases
2. Hypersensitive heart diseases
3. Ischemic heart disease
4. Cerebrovascular diseases
5. Inflammatory heart disease
6. Peripheral arterial disease [PAD]
7. Heart attack
8. Heart failure

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