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Heart: Anatomy, Function and Diseases

The heart is the central pumping organ of the human circulatory system. It supplies the body with oxygen-rich blood and is vital for the function of all organs.

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Things worth knowing about "Heart"

The heart is the central pumping organ of the human circulatory system. It supplies the body with oxygen-rich blood and is vital for the function of all organs.

What Is the Heart?

The heart (Latin: Cor) is a muscular hollow organ located in the middle of the chest cavity (mediastinum), slightly shifted to the left. It serves as the central pump of the circulatory system, continuously moving blood throughout the entire body. In adults, the heart is approximately the size of a fist and weighs between 250 and 350 grams.

Structure of the Heart

The heart consists of four chambers:

Right atrium: Receives oxygen-depleted blood from the systemic circulation.
Right ventricle: Pumps oxygen-depleted blood into the pulmonary circulation.
Left atrium: Receives oxygen-rich blood returning from the lungs.
Left ventricle: Pumps oxygen-rich blood into the systemic circulation.

Between the chambers and atria are heart valves that ensure unidirectional blood flow and prevent backflow. The four valves are the mitral valve, tricuspid valve, aortic valve, and pulmonary valve.

The heart wall is composed of three layers:

Endocardium: The inner lining of the heart.
Myocardium: The heart muscle layer responsible for pumping action.
Epicardium: The outer layer, part of the pericardial sac.

Function of the Heart

The heart maintains the blood circulation through rhythmic contraction (systole) and relaxation (diastole). During systole, blood is ejected from the ventricles into the major arteries; during diastole, the chambers refill with blood. A healthy resting heart beats 60 to 100 times per minute and pumps approximately 5 liters of blood per minute throughout the body.

The heart itself is supplied with oxygen-rich blood through the coronary arteries. An interruption of this supply leads to a myocardial infarction (heart attack).

Cardiac Conduction System

The heart rhythm is controlled by the cardiac conduction system. The sinoatrial (SA) node in the right atrium generates the electrical impulse, which spreads via the atrioventricular (AV) node, the bundle of His, and the Purkinje fibers to trigger a coordinated contraction of the entire heart muscle.

Common Heart Conditions

The heart can be affected by a range of conditions, including:

Coronary artery disease (CAD): Narrowing of the coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis.
Myocardial infarction (heart attack): Death of heart muscle tissue due to impaired blood supply.
Heart failure: Reduced pumping capacity of the heart.
Arrhythmias: Irregular heartbeat patterns.
Heart valve disorders: Functional impairments of the heart valves.
Pericarditis: Inflammation of the pericardial sac surrounding the heart.

Diagnosis

Various diagnostic tools are available for examining the heart:

Electrocardiogram (ECG): Measures the electrical activity of the heart.
Echocardiography: Ultrasound imaging to assess heart structure and function.
Blood tests: e.g., troponin and BNP as markers for cardiac damage or stress.
Cardiac catheterization: Direct visualization of the coronary arteries and heart function.
Cardiac MRI and CT: Imaging techniques for detailed anatomical assessment.

Prevention and Heart Health

A healthy lifestyle is essential for long-term heart health. Key preventive measures include:

Regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week)
A balanced, heart-healthy diet (Mediterranean diet, low in saturated fats)
Not smoking
Monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
Stress management and adequate sleep
Regular medical check-ups and screenings

References

World Health Organization (WHO): Cardiovascular Diseases Fact Sheet. Geneva, 2023. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)
Lilly LS (ed.): Pathophysiology of Heart Disease. 7th edition. Wolters Kluwer, 2020.
Guyton AC, Hall JE: Textbook of Medical Physiology. 14th edition. Elsevier, 2020.

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