A heart is a vital organ, roughly the size of your fist, responsible for pumping blood throughout your body. It's the central component of your circulatory system, a network of blood vessels including arteries, veins, and capillaries.
Anatomy and Function
The heart is composed of multiple layers of tissue and muscle. Its primary function is to propel oxygenated blood to the body's tissues and organs, and to return deoxygenated blood to the lungs for re-oxygenation. This continuous process is essential for life. [Reference: Cleveland Clinic, NHLBI, NIH]
- Size and Location: Approximately fist-sized and located in the chest.
- Circulatory System: The heart sits at the center of your body's circulatory system, a network of vessels that transport blood. [Reference: NHLBI, NIH]
- Tissue Composition: The heart is made of layers of specialized muscle and tissue.
Heart Conditions
Several conditions can affect the heart's function, including:
- Heart Attack: A life-threatening emergency caused by severely reduced or completely blocked blood flow to the heart muscle. [Reference: American Heart Association, NHLBI, NIH, Mayo Clinic]
- Heart Disease: An encompassing term for various heart conditions; coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most prevalent type in the United States. [Reference: CDC]
- Heart Arrhythmia: Occurs when the heart's electrical signals malfunction, causing irregular heartbeats (too fast or too slow). [Reference: Mayo Clinic]
- Heart Failure (Congestive Heart Failure): Results from impaired blood flow through the heart, leading to fluid buildup. [Reference: MedlinePlus]
Aging and the Heart
Age-related changes in the heart and blood vessels increase the risk of heart disease and related health problems. [Reference: National Institute on Aging]
