The heart is a muscular organ in most animals, which pumps blood through the blood vessels of the circulatory system. The pumped blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the body, while carrying metabolic waste such as carbon dioxide to the lungs. In humans, the heart is approximately the size of a closed fist and is located between the lungs, in the middle compartment of the chest.
Heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect your heart. Heart diseases include:
Blood vessel disease, such as coronary artery disease
Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias)
Heart defects you're born with (congenital heart defects)
Heart valve disease
Disease of the heart muscle
Heart infection
Many forms of heart disease can be prevented or treated with healthy lifestyle choices.
2. The human heart is an organ that pumps blood throughout the
body via the vessels of the circulatory system, supplying oxygen
and nutrients to the tissues and removing carbon dioxide and
other wastes.
3. Heart Anatomy
The heart is in the chest, slightly left of center. It sits behind
the breastbone and between the lungs.
The heart has four distinct chambers. The left and right atria
are at the top, and the left and right ventricles at the bottom. The
septum is a wall of tissue that separates the left and right chambers.
4. • The heart also has four valves:
The pulmonic valve opens and closes to regulate blood flow from the right ventricle
to the pulmonary artery (lungs).
The aortic valve opens and closes to regulate oxygenated blood from the left
ventricle to the aorta (the largest artery in the body).
The mitral valve opens and closes to regulate oxygenated blood flow from the left
atrium to the left ventricle.
The tricuspid valve opens and closes to regulate blood flow from the right atrium to
the right ventricle.
5. The heart also contains the following three types of tissue:
Myocardium: Muscular tissue that causes the heart to contract and relax.
Endocardium: A thin tissue that covers the chambers and valves of the
heart.
Pericardium: A thin, sack-like layer that provides support and protection
for the heart while reducing friction between the beating heart and its
surrounding tissues.
6. Some people may have “silent” heart disease. This means that a person will not
develop symptoms until they experience a cardiac event, such as a heart attack,
arrhythmia, or heart failure.
SIGNS OF ARRHYTHMIA
Heart arrhythmia is the medical term for a heartbeat that is too fast, too
slow, or irregular. Arrhythmias occur when the electrical impulses that
control the heartbeat malfunction. This can give rise to a fluttering sensation
in the chest, which doctors refer to as palpitations.
7. A persistent arrhythmia can affect heart function, leading to more severe symptoms,
such as:
pounding sensations in the chest
weakness or fatigue
dizziness or lightheadedness
fainting
shortness of breath
anxiety
Pain or pressure in the chest
sudden cardiac arrest
Swelling in the feet, legs, hands or other areas of the body
Palpitations are not always a sign of an underlying heart condition. They can occur as a
result of anxiety or the use of caffeine and other stimulants. However, a person should see
a doctor if they experience frequent arrhythmias, or they experience other signs and
symptoms of a heart problem.
8. SIGNS OF HEART FAILURE
Heart failure is where the heart is no longer effective at pumping blood
around the body. According to the American Heart Association (AHA) Trusted
source, some common signs of heart failure include:
an unexplained increase in heart rate
tiredness or fatigue
confusion or inability to think clearly
Nausea
loss of appetite
swelling in the feet, legs, hands or other areas of the body with unexplained weight
gain
shortness of breath
sleeping on extra pillows
waking up at night short of breath
a persistent cough that may produce pink-tinged mucus
9. SYMPTOMS OF A HEART ATTACK
A Heart attack is a medical emergency in which the blood supply to
the heart becomes blocked. Without sufficient blood supply, the heart muscles
become damaged and begin to die.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Trusted
Source, the five most common signs of a heart attack include:
chest pain or discomfort
pain or discomfort in one or both shoulders or arms
discomfort or pain in the jaw, back or neck
shortness of breath
feeling weak, lightheaded, or faint
10. According to the American Heart Association (AHA) Trusted Source,
the symptoms of a heart attack may vary between biological males and
females. Both sexes are likely to experience chest discomfort or pain.
However, biological females are more likely to experience the following
additional symptoms:
shortness of breath
nausea or vomiting
pain in the back or jaw
A person should call 911 or seek emergency care if they or someone they are
with is experiencing symptoms of a heart attack.