The heart is the pump of the body and it should be the most important organ to look out for as it works round the clock to pump about 2,000 gallons of blood every day for effective functioning of all other organs. Although it is advisable to have regular doctor’s visit to know about your health and how you need to improve it, many people do not really know about the heart nor are they aware of how to keep it healthy.
Below are some crazy cool facts you probably never knew about your heart.
1. It is fully charged
The heart, unlike other organs in the body, has its own electrical supply which enables it to beat continuously. The heart muscle or myocardium is signaled by the sinoatrial node at the right atrium and this helps it to contract the heart, which makes it responsible for pumping blood with oxygen to the body. The myocardium also pumps deoxygenated blood into the lungs, permitting the replacement of oxygen to be used again. The proper functioning of the myocardium helps the heart to stay fully charged and work exactly as it should.
2. It pumps blood to the whole body
The human body consist of 75 trillion cells, of which the heart pumps blood to, with the exception of the corneas which does not receive any blood supply. The blood from the heart travels to the lungs and back in 6 seconds, 8 seconds to the brain and back, and 16 seconds to the toes and back. This duration is only maintained when the heart is at rest.
3. Heartbreak is real
You probably have wondered, at least once, whether heartbreak affects the heart or not. The truth is that it does and this is because emotions play a great role in how the heart functions. When you feel down, probably after a loved one, it can lead to sleepless nights, that may affect how your heart functions and may also cause shortness of breath and chest pains, which can lead to a condition known as “stress cardiomyopathy” or “broken heart syndrome”. A study also shows that those who lose a partner may have an increased risk of atrial fibrillation or may develop an irregular heartbeat, until they are relieved from it.
4. Heart diseases know no age
Unlike what some people think, heart disease is no respecter of age. Several studies have shown heart diseases to be found among children as young as 8 years. This often arises from obesity and with the recent increase in childhood obesity, heart diseases has found its way to the younger generation. Therefore, heart disease is not just about aging.
To improve your heart and make it function as effectively as it should, experts suggest that you engage in physical activity. You can engage in cardio exercises like brisk walking, jogging, running, cycling and so on. Your diet is also very important. Eat fiber-rich foods and less foods rich in saturated fats. This will not only help your heart to function well, but will also reduce your risk of heart disease.
Image Courtesy of: twimg.com, media.npr.org
