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3 days ago · Heart, organ that serves as a pump to circulate the blood. It may be as simple as a straight tube, as in spiders and annelid worms, or as complex as the four-chambered double pump that is the center of the circulatory system in humans, other mammals, and birds.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- In humans, the heart is situated between the two lungs and slightly to the left of center, behind the breastbone. It rests on the diaphragm, the mu...
- The heart consists of several layers of a tough muscular wall, the myocardium. A thin layer of tissue, the pericardium, covers the outside, and ano...
- The pumping of the heart, or the heartbeat, is caused by alternating contractions and relaxations of the myocardium. These contractions are stimula...
- The rhythmic noises accompanying the heartbeat are called heart sounds. The two distinct sounds are heard, a low, slightly prolonged “lub” (first s...
- Overview
- Function
- Anatomy
- Conditions and Disorders
- Care
- Additional Common Questions
Your muscular heart, the main organ in your cardiovascular system, is vital for life. Its parts work together to move blood through your body in a coordinated way. It constantly sends oxygen to your cells and takes away waste. Many conditions can affect this organ and keep it from working well.
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OverviewFunctionAnatomyConditions and DisordersCareAdditional Common Questions
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What is the function of the heart?
Your heart’s main function is to move blood throughout your body. Blood brings oxygen and nutrients to your cells. It also takes away carbon dioxide and other waste so other organs can dispose of them. Your heart also: Controls the rhythm and speed of your heart rate. Maintains your blood pressure. Your heart works with these body systems to control your heart rate and other body functions: Nervous system: Your nervous system helps control your heart rate. It sends signals that tell your heart to beat slower during rest and faster during stress. Endocrine system: Your endocrine system sends out hormones. These hormones tell your blood vessels to constrict or relax, which affects your blood pressure. Hormones from your thyroid gland can also tell your heart to beat faster or slower.
What are the parts of the heart?
The parts of your heart are like the parts of a building. Your heart anatomy includes: Walls. Chambers that are like rooms. Valves that open and close like doors to the rooms. Blood vessels like plumbing pipes that run through a building. An electrical conduction system like electrical power that runs through a building.
Where is your heart located?
Your heart is in the front of your chest. It sits slightly behind and to the left of your sternum (breastbone), which is in the middle of your chest. Your heart is slightly on the left side of your body. It sits between your right and left lungs. The left lung is slightly smaller to make room for the heart in your left chest. Your rib cage protects your heart.
What does your heart look like?
Your heart looks a little bit like an upside-down pyramid with rounded edges. Large blood vessels go into and out of your heart to bring blood into and away from your heart. They connect your heart to the rest of your body, which it supplies with blood and oxygen.
What are the common conditions and disorders that affect your heart?
Heart conditions are among the most common types of disorders. In the United States, heart disease is the leading cause of death. Common conditions that affect your heart include: Arrhythmia: A heartbeat that’s too fast, too slow or beats with an irregular rhythm. Cardiomyopathy: Unusual thickening, enlargement or stiffening of your heart muscle. Congestive heart failure: Your heart is too stiff or too weak to properly pump blood throughout your body. Coronary artery disease: Plaque buildup that leads to narrow coronary arteries. Diabetes: Your blood sugar is higher than it should be. Heart attack (myocardial infarction): A sudden coronary artery blockage that cuts off oxygen to part of your heart muscle. Heart valve disease: A valve in your heart isn’t working right. High blood pressure: Your blood is pushing too hard against your artery walls. High cholesterol: Your blood has too many fats in it. Pericarditis: Inflammation in your heart’s lining (pericardium).
Common treatments for the heart
Treatments for heart conditions include: Medicine to lower blood pressure or prevent clotting, for example. Changes to daily habits, like what you eat and how much physical activity you get. Medical devices like a pacemaker. Procedures like catheter ablation or angioplasty. Operations like coronary artery bypass surgery or a valve replacement.
How can I keep my heart healthy?
If you have a condition that affects your heart, follow your healthcare provider’s treatment plan. It’s important to take medications at the right times and in the right amounts. You can also make lifestyle changes to keep your heart healthy. You can strive to: Achieve and maintain a weight that’s healthy for you. Drink alcohol in moderation. Eat heart-healthy foods like plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Be physically active for at least 150 minutes per week. Limit how much sodium you consume. Manage your stress with healthy strategies like meditation or journaling. Quit smoking and/or using tobacco products and avoid secondhand smoke. If you smoke, ask a healthcare provider for resources to help you quit.
What should I ask my doctor about my heart?
You may want to ask your healthcare provider: How does my family history affect my heart health? What can I do to lower my blood pressure? How do my cholesterol levels affect my heart? What are the symptoms of a heart attack? What foods should I eat to prevent heart disease? A note from Cleveland Clinic As the main organ of your circulatory system, your heart keeps you alive. It pumps blood throughout your body, bringing oxygen to your cells and tissues. Since your heart plays such a vital role, it’s important to take care of it. Conditions that affect your heart are very common, but you have the power to make changes for a stronger heart. Ask your healthcare provider how you can improve your heart health. Medically Reviewed Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/26/2024. Learn more about our editorial process.
The heart is a muscular organ found in most animals. This organ pumps blood through the blood vessels of the circulatory system. [1] The pumped blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the body, while carrying metabolic waste such as carbon dioxide to the lungs. [2]
Aug 25, 2022 · Overview. Heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect the heart. Heart diseases include: Blood vessel disease, such as coronary artery disease. Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) Heart problems you're born with (congenital heart defects) Disease of the heart muscle. Heart valve disease.
Nov 12, 2023 · What Is the Heart? Learn how this fist-sized organ pumps blood through your body, how it works, its anatomy, what conditions affect it, and more.
Sep 30, 2020 · Anatomy. How it works. Valves. Electrical system. Blood vessels. Cardiac arrest. Summary. The human heart is a finely-tuned instrument that serves the whole body. It is a muscular organ around...
Mar 24, 2022 · The heart is made of three layers of tissue. Endocardium is the thin inner lining of the heart chambers and also forms the surface of the valves. Myocardium is the thick middle layer of muscle that allows your heart chambers to contract and relax to pump blood to your body.
