How does the human heart function. What are some surprising facts about heart health. Why is cardiovascular fitness crucial for overall wellbeing. How do heart attack symptoms differ between men and women. What lifestyle choices can improve heart health.

The Remarkable Structure and Function of the Human Heart

The human heart is a marvel of biological engineering, serving as the powerhouse of our circulatory system. Let’s delve into some intriguing facts about this vital organ:

• The average adult heart is roughly the size of a clenched fist, weighing less than a pound.
• A man’s heart typically weighs about two ounces more than a woman’s heart.
• The heart is centrally located in the chest, with its largest portion slightly to the left.
• It consists of four chambers – two atria and two ventricles – working in harmony to pump blood throughout the body.

The heart’s incredible efficiency is evident in its daily workload. Each day, this muscular organ pumps approximately 2,000 gallons of blood through the body’s vast network of blood vessels. If stretched out, this intricate system would extend over 60,000 miles – a testament to the heart’s crucial role in maintaining our health.

The Rhythm of Life: Understanding Heart Rate and Beats

The steady rhythm of our heartbeat is a constant reminder of life’s persistence. But how much do we really know about these rhythmic contractions?

• On average, the human heart beats about 115,000 times per day.
• Over a lifetime, the heart can beat more than 3 billion times.
• A woman’s heart typically beats slightly faster than a man’s – about eight beats per minute faster.
• The familiar “lub-dub” sound of a heartbeat is caused by the opening and closing of heart valves.

Have you ever wondered about the source of the heart’s rhythmic contractions? Surprisingly, the heart has its own electrical impulse system. This intrinsic conduction system allows the heart to continue beating even when separated from the body, provided it has an adequate oxygen supply. This remarkable feature underscores the heart’s autonomy and resilience.

The Impact of Lifestyle on Heart Health

While the heart is incredibly robust, its health is significantly influenced by our lifestyle choices. Regular exercise, about 150 minutes per week, combined with a heart-healthy diet, can dramatically reduce the risk of heart disease. Physical activity not only strengthens the heart muscle but also helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

Interestingly, even laughter can benefit heart health. It reduces stress and boosts the immune system, contributing to overall cardiovascular wellbeing. This underscores the importance of maintaining not just physical, but also emotional and mental health for optimal heart function.

Cardiovascular Disease: Understanding the Risks and Symptoms

Despite its resilience, the heart is vulnerable to disease. Cardiovascular disease remains one of the greatest health threats, particularly for women. However, it’s largely preventable by managing certain risk factors.

Heart attack symptoms can vary between men and women. While chest pain is common in both genders, women may experience more subtle signs:

• Unusual fatigue
• Sleep disturbances
• Dizziness
• Anxiety

It’s crucial to be aware of these symptoms and seek medical attention promptly if they occur. Early intervention can significantly improve outcomes in cardiovascular events.

Debunking Heart Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction

Many myths surround the human heart. Let’s address a few common misconceptions:

• Contrary to popular belief, the heart doesn’t stop beating when you sneeze.
• While emotional stress can affect heart health, a “broken heart” is not the same as a heart attack. However, extreme emotional stress can lead to a condition called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, which can mimic heart attack symptoms.
• The heart is not located on the left side of the chest, but in the center, with its largest part tilted slightly to the left.

Understanding these facts helps us appreciate the true nature of this remarkable organ and its function in our bodies.

The Heart’s Incredible Endurance and Adaptability

The heart is often described as the hardest working muscle in the body, and for good reason. Unlike skeletal muscles, the heart never fatigues under normal conditions. It continues to pump tirelessly throughout our lives, adapting to various physiological states and demands.

Consider these facts about the heart’s endurance:

• The heart pumps blood to almost all of the body’s 75 trillion cells.
• During an average lifetime, the heart will pump nearly 1.5 million barrels of blood.
• The heart can adapt to long-term endurance training by increasing in size and pumping capacity.

This incredible adaptability allows athletes to develop larger, more efficient hearts capable of pumping more blood with each beat. However, it’s important to note that while the heart can adapt to increased demands, it also requires proper care and maintenance to function optimally throughout life.

The Interconnectedness of Heart Health and Overall Wellbeing

Heart health is intricately linked to overall wellbeing. The cardiovascular system interacts with virtually every other system in the body, influencing and being influenced by factors such as:

1. Respiratory health
2. Metabolic function
3. Hormonal balance
4. Immune system function
5. Mental and emotional state

This interconnectedness highlights the importance of a holistic approach to health. By taking care of our hearts, we’re essentially taking care of our entire bodies. Conversely, issues in other body systems can impact heart health, emphasizing the need for comprehensive healthcare and lifestyle choices.

The Role of Technology in Heart Health Monitoring

Advancements in technology have revolutionized how we monitor and maintain heart health. From wearable devices that track heart rate and rhythm to sophisticated imaging techniques that provide detailed views of heart structure and function, technology has empowered both individuals and healthcare providers in the quest for optimal cardiovascular health.

These technological tools allow for:

• Early detection of potential heart issues
• Continuous monitoring of heart health metrics
• Personalized strategies for heart disease prevention
• More effective management of existing heart conditions

As technology continues to evolve, it promises to play an increasingly significant role in promoting heart health and preventing cardiovascular disease.

Nurturing Heart Health: Practical Steps for a Stronger Heart

While the heart is remarkably resilient, it benefits greatly from conscientious care. Here are some practical steps to nurture your heart health:

1. Engage in regular physical activity, aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
2. Maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
3. Manage stress through relaxation techniques, mindfulness, or meditation.
4. Ensure adequate sleep, as poor sleep quality can negatively impact heart health.
5. Avoid tobacco use and limit alcohol consumption.
6. Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other heart health indicators.

Remember, small, consistent changes can lead to significant improvements in heart health over time. It’s never too late to start taking better care of your heart.

The Importance of Heart Health Education

Understanding the basics of heart function and health is crucial for everyone, not just those with existing heart conditions. Increased awareness can lead to better prevention strategies and earlier detection of potential issues. Consider these points about heart health education:

• Knowledge of heart attack symptoms can lead to faster treatment and better outcomes.
• Understanding risk factors allows individuals to make informed lifestyle choices.
• Awareness of family history can prompt proactive heart health management.
• Education about the benefits of a heart-healthy lifestyle can motivate positive changes.

By promoting heart health education, we can empower individuals to take control of their cardiovascular wellbeing and potentially reduce the global burden of heart disease.

The Future of Cardiac Care: Emerging Trends and Innovations

The field of cardiology is continuously evolving, with new research and technological advancements promising to revolutionize cardiac care. Some exciting developments on the horizon include:

• Personalized medicine approaches based on genetic profiles
• Advanced artificial intelligence algorithms for more accurate diagnosis and treatment planning
• Minimally invasive surgical techniques for complex heart procedures
• Regenerative medicine therapies to repair damaged heart tissue
• Novel drug therapies targeting specific molecular pathways involved in heart disease

These innovations hold the potential to dramatically improve outcomes for patients with heart disease and may even lead to new strategies for preventing cardiovascular problems before they start.

The Global Impact of Heart Health

Heart health is not just a personal concern; it has significant implications on a global scale. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, making heart health a critical public health issue. Consider these global perspectives:

• The economic burden of heart disease, including healthcare costs and lost productivity, is substantial in many countries.
• There are significant disparities in heart health and access to cardiac care across different regions and socioeconomic groups.
• Global efforts are underway to promote heart-healthy lifestyles and improve access to cardiovascular care in underserved areas.
• Climate change and environmental factors are emerging as potential influences on global heart health trends.

Addressing heart health on a global scale requires coordinated efforts from governments, healthcare systems, and international organizations. By working together, we can strive towards a world where everyone has the opportunity for optimal heart health.

10 Interesting Facts About The Human Heart

Ours hearts are essential to our survival. They are part of our circulatory system and they are responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood throughout our body, but how much do we really know about our heart?

Here are 10 interesting facts about the human heart that you may not have known:

• The average heart is the size of an adult fist.
• Your heart will beat about 115,000 times each day.
• The beating sound your heart makes is caused by the opening and closing of its valves.
• Each day, your heart pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood.
• If you were to stretch out your blood vessel system, it would extend over 60,000 miles.
• The human heart weighs less than one pound, but a man’s heart is typically two ounces heavier than a woman’s.
• A woman’s heart beats slightly faster than a man’s.
• There is such a thing as a broken heart. Symptoms are similar to a heart attack but the cause is usually stress and not heart disease.
• Laughing is good for your heart. It reduces stress and gives a boost to your immune system.

While these facts are meant to be light and fun, the most important thing to understand is how important it is to maintain proper heart health. By eating right and exercising, you can remain heart healthy.

To speak with a doctor at Flushing Hospital about your heart health, please call 718-670-5486.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

This entry was posted in Cardiology and tagged cardiology, Heart health by Flushing Hospital. Bookmark the permalink.

12 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Your Heart

Happy heart month! For such an important muscle, hearts are ignored all too often. Don’t you think your heart deserves some recognition for its loyal, steady beat and for supplying blood to all of your organs? We think so! The month of February is a great time to put your focus back on your heart and help yourself set goals for a heart healthy year.

Below are a few fun and interesting facts about your heart to help you appreciate just how important your heart–and heart health–really is:

Your heart has its own electrical impulse. It can continue to beat when separated from your body as long as it has oxygen!

Your (adult) heart beats about 100,000 times every day. In fact, the heart has the ability to beat over 3 billion times in a person’s life.

Your heart is about the size of your fist. Heart size depends on the size of the person as well as the condition of the heart.

Cardiovascular disease is your greatest health threat. Especially for women. Thankfully, it is largely preventable by controlling certain risk factors.

Heart attack symptoms can be different in men and women. While both men and women can share the most common signs of a heart attack, some symptoms differ. Men tend to report more chest pain symptoms, while women have been shown to report unusual fatigue, sleep disturbances, dizziness, and anxiety. Not all heart attacks start with the typical warning signs, so it’s important to be aware of common symptoms and call a doctor right away if you feel like something isn’t right.

Exercise and activity level is one of the greatest potential risk factors for heart disease. Physical inactivity leads to high cholesterol and high blood pressure levels, among other things. Regular exercise, about 150 minutes a week, along with a heart healthy diet is one of the best ways to prevent heart disease.

Your heart is your hardest working muscle! It does the most physical work of any muscle during a lifetime. Your heart is constantly pumping energy throughout your body. Even though your heart could weaken from certain conditions, it will never fatigue.

Your heart is located in the center of your chest. From reciting the Pledge of Allegiance as a child, you might still think your heart is located on the left side of your chest. Your heart is actually located in the dead center of your chest with the largest part of your heart on the left side. Your left lung is smaller than your right lung to make room for your heart!

A female’s heart beats faster than a male’s heart. About eight beats a minute faster! This is because a female heart is smaller than a male heart. The smaller the heart, the more beats are needed to pump the same amount of blood.

Your heart doesn’t actually stop beating when you sneeze. You’ve probably heard that statement a few times throughout your life as an explanation for the term “bless you” after you sneeze, but experts say that is just a common myth. The changing pressure in your chest after you sneeze changes your blood flow, which could change the rhythm of your heartbeat, but it doesn’t momentarily stop it.

About 75 trillion cells receive blood from your heart. In fact, it’s just your corneas that don’t receive blood from your heart.

Your heart pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood every day. Over your lifetime, your heart pumps about 1 – 1.5 million barrels of blood. For a visual, that’s enough blood to fill up three supertankers!

Take these fun facts to heart, and give your heart the attention it deserves! After all, your heart is arguably the most important muscle in your body to keep healthy.

Ready to encourage employees to work on their heart fitness? Consider downloading our FREE step-by-step 6 Easy Fitness and Wellness Challenges for Any Workplace guide!

Image designed by Valeria_aksakova – Freepik. com

5 Fascinating Heart Facts | Augusta Health

February is American Heart Month—in recognition, we wanted to share with you some facts about our favorite muscle.

Hearts by the numbers

The average person has a resting heart rate of between 60 and 100 beats per minute. That means that over the course of the day, your heart will have beat between 86,000 and 144,000 times. Over the course of a year, that’s well over 30 and 50 million individual beats. That’s a lot of work over the course of the year!

It’s about the size of your fist

You’ve probably heard that the human heart is about the size of a fist, but did you also know that the metaphor scales according to your age and gender? Whether you’re looking at a newborn baby or an adult – balling up the fist is the best way to get an approximate idea of what size a person’s heart is.

Days dangerous to your heart

One of the reasons we celebrate American Heart Month is to raise awareness of heart disease—the number one cause of death in America. Many of these deaths occur as a result of a heart attack and the rate at which these occur seem to follow some interesting patterns.

Mondays appear to be the day of the week when a heart attack is most likely to occur, either as a result of the increased stress of returning to work or a tendency to drink more than usual over the course of the weekend. A group of Swedish researchers found that over the course of the year, the most likely day to have a heart attack is Christmas Eve.

Heart rate and blood pressure drops when you sleep

Our heart has a daily rhythm that aligns with our sleep cycle. Over the course of the night, our heart rate can drop to as low as 40 beats per minute as we sleep. This rhythm is important for our hearts, as studies have shown that individuals who have trouble sleeping are more susceptible to issues that can lead to an increased risk of heart disease.

The first open heart surgery occurred over 100 years ago

In 1893, the first open heart surgery was successfully completed by Daniel Hale William, an African-American surgeon practicing at Provident Hospital and Training School Association in Chicago—the nation’s first interracial hospital and one that he founded only two years prior. A man came into his care who had been stabbed in the heart. Lacking the benefits of x-rays or antibiotics, Dr. William made the extraordinary decision to proceed with an open heart surgery – something that had never been done before. During the operation, he sutured the pericardium – the sac of tissue surrounding the heart – which would lead to the subject walking out of the hospital fully recovered 51 days later, and cementing Dr. William’s place in medical history.

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning something new about the fist-sized organ pumping diligently in your chest. We encourage you to challenge your friends on their knowledge of the heart—and to be sure to touch base with a doctor so you can be sure that yours is ticking away happily and healthily.

5 Surprising Heart Facts | Edward-Elmhurst Health

Pumping more than 100,000 times a day, your heart is the hardest working muscle you have.

Though not the largest — it’s the size of your two fists clasped together — it is a workhorse, pumping about 1.5 gallons of blood each minute. With each beat, your heart sends oxygen rich blood throughout your body.

Heart disease, however, remains a leading cause of death. On average, cardiovascular disease claims one life every 37 seconds in the United States.

That’s why it’s important to know how your heart works and what you can do to keep it healthy.

Here are five facts about your heart that might surprise you:

• An inactive lifestyle puts you at higher risk for heart disease than if you smoked. Regular exercise is important to keep your heart in good health. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate level intensity exercise each week.
• If you sit at your desk most of your workday or are in your car a lot, you run a higher risk for heart disease. One study of 30,000 people in 52 countries found that people who owned both a car and a television had a 27 percent higher risk for heart disease than those who didn’t own a car and TV. Researchers cautioned that simply owning a car or TV were not risk factors, but rather the inactivity of those participants. While it’s OK to drive to work or tune in for that football game, make sure you are getting enough activity throughout your day.
• Gratitude can help improve your health. It’s easy to focus on the negative, but that comes with a cost — like depression, a weakened immune system, inflammation and stress — all of which can affect your heart. Try practicing gratitude and taking time throughout your day to appreciate a moment, a meal or an activity then journal about it at the end of the day.
• By the age of 80, you have a 60 percent chance of developing high blood pressure. Often called the “silent killer,” high blood pressure has no obvious signs or symptoms. That’s why it’s important to have regular checkups and know your numbers. Normal blood pressure numbers are less than 120 for systolic (the top number) and less than 80 for diastolic (the bottom number).
• Your arteries — the highway used to carry oxygen rich blood throughout your body — are only 4 millimeters in diameter. At that size, it’s easy to see how plaque could build up in your arteries. To help keep those arteries clear, limit fatty, greasy foods. Clogged arteries can cause blockage that prevents blood from flowing and can cause a heart attack. Recent studies have shown following a Mediterranean diet — one that includes lots of fruits and vegetables, healthy oils and keeps dairy, eggs, fish and poultry to moderate amounts — can be beneficial to your heart health.

Find out your risk for heart and vascular disease with a five-minute HeartAware assessment.

At the Cardiac Innovations & Structural Heart Center®, we’re committed to providing the highest quality care possible. Find out why for us, this is personal.

6 Surprising Facts About Heart Disease

Written by Veerappan Subramaniyam, MD, FACC (Dr. Ramesh)

Cardiovascular (heart) disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States—accounting for 40 percent of all deaths.

While you may be familiar with these statistics, there are some lesser-known facts about heart disease that you can use to reduce your risk of heart disease and cardiac events and to promote overall heart health. Below are six important facts about heart disease you should know.

1. A yearly flu shot can benefit your heart.

Did you know that for people with heart disease, getting a flu shot is particularly important? Heart disease can lower your body’s ability to fight the flu and increase your likelihood of developing serious complications such as heart attack, pneumonia and respiratory failure. Getting a yearly flu shot can help prevent complications from the infection and prevent your heart disease symptoms from worsening. [1]

If you have heart disease, be sure to opt for the flu shot instead of the nasal spray vaccine. The nasal spray is not recommended for individuals with heart disease, as the spray contains a live version of the flu virus and has not been assessed for safety in people with heart conditions.

2. Spending time with friends and family can lower your heart attack risk.

Studies have found that people who live by themselves are two times more likely to have a heart attack than people who live with a roommate or partner. [2]

Research has long suggested that regular social interaction and social connectedness play an important role in overall health, as well as heart health. One hypothesis explaining this effect is that spending time with friends and family can mitigate stress and fend off depression—both of which are risk factors for heart disease.

Another study found that laughing can protect heart health, as it causes blood vessels to relax and expand—again, pointing to the health benefits of spending time with close friends. [2]

3. Many heart attacks occur on Monday mornings.

Researchers have noticed that heart attacks are particularly common during the fall and winter, and on Monday mornings. This is believed to be the case because the body has to work harder to pump blood, which is thicker in the morning. At the same time, in the morning, the body’s stress hormones such as cortisol spike. [1]

Some studies have found that the morning may be the most dangerous time to experience a heart attack, as these heart attacks tend to be more severe. [1]

4. Chewing an aspirin as soon as heart attack symptoms appear can limit heart damage.

After calling 911, the first thing you should do if you start experiencing heart attack symptoms is chew—rather than swallow whole— a 325-milligram aspirin pill. Aspirin helps break up clots in the bloodstream that may be blocking blood flow to the heart and causing heart muscle cells to die. Breaking up these clots can prevent more heart muscle cells from dying.

Chewing the pill is recommended as it causes quicker results than swallowing it.

5. Playing racket sports such as tennis and squash may protect against cardiac death. [3]

A 2016 study found that among research participants, people who played racket sports had the lowest risk of dying from any cause within the nine-year window during which the participants were tracked.

The study, which aimed to investigate whether certain forms of physical activity had greater health and longevity benefits than others, found that after racket sports, swimming, aerobics and cycling had the next-greatest reductions in nine-year risk from death from any cause. The researchers believe this reduction may be attributed to these sports’ engagement of both the upper and lower body, which pushes the heart to work harder. [3]

Regardless of which physical activity you choose, the more time you spend exercising, the more your risk of cardiac death goes down.

6. Women under age 50 are two times more likely than men of the same age to die from a heart attack.

Once thought to be an issue affecting mostly men, heart disease is now recognized as a leading cause of death for women. In fact, while men are more likely than women to experience a heart attack—and at younger ages— women who do have heart attacks are more likely to die from them.

One reason women have lower survival rates may be that many women may not recognize lesser-known heart attack symptoms such as fatigue, nausea and dizziness. Researchers have also found that women may tend to downplay or ignore heart attack symptoms and delay seeking treatment as a result.

If you are a woman, it is important to know your risk and the status of your heart health, even if you have never experienced any symptoms of heart disease. Two out of three women who die from heart attacks, for example, never experienced chest pain prior to that heart attack. Coronary calcium scoring is a heart scan that can detect coronary artery disease in patients who do not have symptoms.

It is also important to know the heart attack symptoms that are more typical in women than in men—and to not ignore any symptoms when they arise. 

How can The Heart Center of Northeast Georgia Medical Center help?

The Heart Center of Northeast Georgia Medical Center is the state’s leader in cardiac care. Our physicians are recognized as some of the top cardiovascular physicians in the country.

We perform more than 9,000 cardiac procedures annually. Our board-certified cardiologists were trained at top institutions across the country and have vast experience that leads to high-quality care you can trust.

With several locations throughout northeast Georgia, The Heart Center is able to provide personal service with familiar faces near you.

To schedule an appointment, call 770-534-2020 or visit https://www.heartngmc. org/appointment.

Sources

6 Amazing Facts about the Human Heart You Should Know :: PBMC Health

Most people don’t think about what their heart is doing on a day-to-day basis. Read on to learn six amazing facts about the heart and its health from the cardiology specialists in Suffolk County, NY, at Peconic Bay Medical Center.

Beats, Gallons, and Miles

Your heart beats 100,000 times a day. Those beats are responsible for pumping 2,000 gallons of blood through 60,000 miles of blood vessels; that’s about 15 times the average radius of the Earth! The blood delivers nutrients to your muscles, organs, and other tissues to keep them and you alive.

Heart Attacks and Women

More than half a million women have heart attacks annually. Women experience heart attacks differently than men. The average woman’s heart weighs about 8 ounces. Women tend to experience nausea, shoulder aches, and indigestion as signs of a heart attack. Some will have chest pain, but many do not.

Heart Attacks and Men

The average man’s heart weighs 10 ounces. Men who experience heart attacks will usually exhibit chest pain that may radiate down the arm. Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women. The best way to prevent heart disease is to stop smoking and check cholesterol levels and blood pressure regularly.

Laughter Is the Best Medicine

A good belly laugh improves your blood flow and keeps your heart healthy. Laughing also expands the blood vessels and relaxes their linings. So, watch that funny movie or do whatever it takes to get your laugh on.

Don’t Hate Mondays

Monday mornings are so stressful for many people that it’s the most common time to have a heart attack. Every morning sees a spike in blood pressure and stress chemicals; Monday adds in the going-back-to-work stress that creates a perfect storm for a heart attack. Reducing your stress through meditation, exercise, or family time can reduce your risk for heart attacks.

Loving It

One British study showed that men who climaxed three or four times a week cut their risk of heart attack in half. Additionally, ED may signal heart problems up to five years before they manifest as a heart attack. The effect isn’t clear for women, though it’s well known that intercourse is a good way to relieve stress and burns about 85 calories in a half hour.

Now that you know how great your heart is, you should want to take care of it more than ever. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly is a good way to start. Visit your doctor for a yearly checkup to monitor your health and your heart, so you can take other corrective actions before your heart fails you. Schedule an appointment for your heart today with the experts at Peconic Bay Medical Center’s cardiology center in Suffolk County, NY.

3 Surprising Facts About Heart Disease: Nikunj Patel, M.D., FACC: Cosmetic Surgeon

If your arteries are blocked due to plaque buildup or if you’ve had a heart attack, you have heart disease. Also sometimes referred to as cardiovascular disease, heart disease is a broad medical term that includes any condition that affects heart function or health.

Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death of both men and women in the United States. But that’s not the only surprising fact that Nikunj Patel, MD, FACC, and his team at Neosculpt Laser Vein & Cosmetic Surgery Center want to share with you about heart disease. Knowing some of the facts may help improve your heart health so you don’t become a statistic.

1. Most cases of heart disease are preventable

When it comes to heart disease risk, many factors are at play — some you can control and some you can’t. Age and genetics may be a factor in your development of heart disease, but many of the other factors are those you can affect, such as:

• Controlling blood pressure
• Keeping your cholesterol and triglycerides in a healthy range
• Limiting alcohol
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly

Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease. It raises blood pressure and increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Smoking-related heart disease risk decreases as soon as you quit. If you’ve been diagnosed with heart disease, your risk of having a heart attack reduces by as much as 50% after one year of quitting.

Carrying excess weight is also a risk factor for heart disease. Losing even a modest amount can lower your blood pressure, improve your metabolism, and benefit heart function.

2. You can survive a heart attack if you know the symptoms

A heart attack occurs when there’s a blockage in your coronary artery, preventing oxygen-rich blood from getting to your heart. More than 700,000 Americans have a heart attack each year. Knowing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack can get you the help you need quickly and improve your chances of survival.

Common symptoms include:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in your arm, shoulder, back, or jaw
• Nausea
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Breaking out in a cold sweat

Chest pain is the most common symptom both men and women experience when they’re having a heart attack. But women may experience more of the other symptoms, such as nausea, lightheadedness, or back or jaw pain during a heart attack.

If you’re experiencing chest pain, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room for a medical work-up.

3. Sitting for long periods is not good for your heart

Most Americans spend more than half of their waking hours sitting either at their desk in front of a computer or on the couch in front of the television. A lack of daily activity, even if you include planned exercise, may increase your risk of heart disease, according to a 2015 study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Researchers aren’t sure why sitting all day is such a health hazard but theorize that it may affect how your body metabolizes fat and sugar.

You may be able to reduce health risk by standing and walking for a few minutes every half hour while you’re at work. You can invest in a standing desk or treadmill desk to help yourself reduce inactivity. When at home, stand up and move around during each commercial break.

Heart disease is a killer, but you can take steps to regain control over your health and your heart. For interventional cardiology, call Dr. Patel at Neosculpt Laser Vein & Cosmetic Surgery Center, or use the online booking button to request an appointment.

90,000 Interesting facts about the heart

1. “Broken Heart” is not a lyrical invention. Against the background of stress and emotional trauma, the body produces hormones that overstrain the heart muscle. This can lead to palpitations and even a heart attack. Therefore, the expression “all diseases from the nerves” can be easily applied to cardiovascular diseases. Don’t be nervous and your heart will be healthy.

2. The heart is an amazing organ.Its weight in an adult is almost 300 grams, and in a newborn child it is only 22 grams, which is about 0.8 percent of the total body weight.

3. To find out how big your heart is, just clench your hand into a fist. The size of the heart will be almost the same. And if you take a tennis ball in your hand and squeeze it with maximum force, you will find out how much effort your heart muscle makes to pump blood through the body every second.

four.In an adult, a heartbeat of 60-85 beats per minute is considered normal, while in a newborn baby this figure can reach 150 beats.

5. A woman’s heart beats faster than a man’s. Perhaps this is why women are more sensitive and emotional.

6. Throughout life, the heart muscle pumps through the blood vessels nearly one and a half million barrels of blood. If you fill a freight train with it, you will need at least two hundred tanks.

7. It has been scientifically proven that people with higher levels of education are less likely to get heart disease. This is associated with an attentive attitude to their health.

8. Horror films in which the heart is pulled out of the chest, and it continues to beat, do not dissemble. The intrinsic supply of electrical impulses of the heart muscle allows it to continue to contract, even when separated from the body. But only as long as there is a sufficient volume of oxygen in it.

9. Good mood, laughter and joy are great helpers for the cardiovascular system, they help us stay healthy. It has been proven that laughter relaxes the walls of blood vessels, as a result of which the blood flow through the vessels is accelerated by 20 percent, respectively, improving the blood supply to organs and tissues.

SAVE YOUR HEART and STAY HEALTHY.

The material was prepared by the deputy head of the center, cardiologist of the highest category Zabiran Irina Vasilievna

90,000 55 facts about the human heart

The heart is responsible for the functioning of all organs.Stopping the “motor” becomes the reason for the cessation of blood circulation, which means that it leads to the death of all organs. Most people know this, but there are many other amazing facts about the heart. Some of them are desirable for everyone to know, as this will help to take timely measures that contribute to the smooth operation of the most important organ in the human body.

1. Intrauterine origin of heart tissue begins as early as the 3rd week of embryo development. And on the 4th week, the heartbeat can be quite clearly determined at the time of the transvaginal ultrasound;

2.The weight of an adult’s heart is on average from 250 to 300 grams. In a newborn baby, the heart weighs about 0.8% of the total body weight, which is about 22 grams;

3. The size of the heart is equal to the size of the hand clenched into a fist;

4. The heart in most cases is located two-thirds to the left of the chest and one-third to the right. At the same time, it is slightly deflected to the left, due to which the heartbeat is heard precisely from the left side;

5. In a newborn, the total amount of blood circulating in the body is 140-15 ml per kilogram of body weight, in an adult this ratio is 50-70 ml per kilogram of body weight;

6.The force of blood pressure is such that when a large arterial vessel is injured, it can rise up to 10 meters;

7. One person out of 10 thousand is born with right-sided localization of the heart;

8. Normally, the heart rate of an adult is from 60 to 85 beats per minute, while in a newborn this figure can reach 150;

9. The human heart is four-chambered, in a cockroach there are 12-13 such chambers and each of them works from a separate muscle group. This means that if one of the chambers fails, the cockroach will live without any problems;

10.The heart of women beats a little more often compared to the representatives of the strong half of humanity;

11. The heartbeat is nothing more than the work of the valves at the time of their opening and closing;

12. The human heart works continuously with short pauses. The total duration of these pauses in a lifetime can reach 20 years;

13. According to the latest data, the working capacity of a healthy heart can be maintained for at least 150 years;

14. The heart is divided into two parts, the left one is stronger and larger, as it is responsible for blood circulation throughout the body.In the right half of the organ, blood moves in a small circle, that is, from the lungs and back;

15. The heart muscle, unlike other organs, is capable of producing its own electrical impulses. This allows the heart to beat outside the human body, provided a sufficient amount of oxygen is supplied;

16. Every day the heart beats more than 100 thousand times, and in a lifetime up to 2.5 billion times;

17. The energy generated by the heart for several decades is sufficient to ensure the rise of loaded trains to the highest mountains of the earth;

18. There are more than 75 trillion cells in the human body, and all of them are provided with nutrition and oxygen due to the blood supply from the heart. The exception, according to the latest scientific data, is the cornea, its tissues are fed by external oxygen;

19. With an average life span, the heart carries a volume of blood that is equal to the amount of water that can pour out of the tap in 45 years with a continuous flow;

20. The blue whale is the owner of the most gigantic heart, the weight of an adult’s organ reaches almost 700 kilograms.However, a whale’s heart beats only 9 times per minute;

21. The heart muscle performs the largest amount of work in comparison with other muscles in the body;

22. Primary heart tissue cancer is extremely rare. This is due to the rapid course of metabolic reactions in the myocardium and the unique structure of muscle fibers;

23. Heart transplant was successfully performed for the first time in 1967. The patient was operated on by Christian Barnard, a South African surgeon;

24.Heart disease is less common in educated people;

25. The largest number of patients with a heart attack go to the hospital on Monday, New Years and especially hot summer days;

26. If you want to know less about heart pathologies – laugh more and more often. Positive emotions contribute to the expansion of the vascular lumen, due to which the myocardium receives more oxygen;

27. “Broken heart” – a phrase that is often found in the literature.However, with strong emotional experiences, the body begins to intensively produce special hormones that can cause temporary shock and symptoms resembling a heart attack;

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28. Stitching pains are not typical for heart diseases. Their appearance is mostly associated with pathologies of the musculoskeletal system;

29. In terms of structure and principles of work, the human heart is almost completely identical with a similar organ in a pig;

30.The earliest depiction of a heart in the form of a picture is believed to be a Belgian physician (16th century). However, a few years ago, a heart-shaped vessel was discovered in Mexico, supposedly made more than 2,500 years ago;

31. Rome heart and waltz rhythm are almost identical;

32. The most important organ in the human body has its own day – September 25th. On the “day of the Heart”, it is customary to pay as much attention as possible to maintaining the myocardium in a healthy state;

33.In ancient Egypt, it was believed that a special channel goes from the heart to the ring finger. It is with this belief that the custom is connected to put a ring on this finger after connecting a couple by family ties;

34. If you want to slow down the heart rate and reduce the pressure, stroke your hands with light movements for several minutes;

35. A monument to the heart has been erected in the Russian Federation at the Heart Institute of the city of Perm. The massive figure is made of red granite and weighs over 4 tons;

36.To significantly reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular pathologies, daily unhurried walks lasting from half an hour allow;

37. Men are least likely to have a heart attack if their ring finger is much longer than the others;

38. People with problem teeth and gum disease are at risk for heart disease. They are at half the risk of having a heart attack compared to those who monitor their oral health;

39.The electrical activity of the heart is greatly reduced by the influence of cocaine. The drug often becomes the main cause of strokes and heart attacks in practically healthy young people;

40. Poor nutrition, bad habits, physical inactivity lead to an increase in the volume of the heart itself and to an increase in the thickness of its walls. As a result, this disrupts blood circulation and leads to arrhythmias, shortness of breath, heart pain, increased blood pressure;

41. A child who has experienced psychological trauma in childhood is more susceptible to cardiovascular pathologies in adulthood;

42.Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a diagnosis specific to professional athletes. Is often the cause of death in young people;

43. Embryo hearts and blood arteries are already 3D printed. It is quite possible that this technology will help to cope with deadly diseases;

44. Obesity is one of the causes of deterioration of heart function, both in adults and in children;

45. In case of congenital heart defects, cardiac surgeons perform operations without waiting for the baby to be born, that is, in the womb.This treatment minimizes the risk of death after birth;

46. In women, myocardial infarction is more often atypical than in men. That is, instead of pain, increased fatigue, shortness of breath, painful sensations in the stomach area may disturb;

47. A bluish tint of the lips, not associated with low temperatures and stay in high mountain areas, is a sign of cardiac pathologies;

48. In almost 40% of cases with the development of a heart attack, death occurs before the patient is hospitalized;

49.In more than 25 cases out of a hundred, the infarction remains unnoticed in the acute phase and is determined only during subsequent electrocardiography;

50. In women, the likelihood of heart disease increases during menopause, which is associated with a decrease in the production of estrogen;

51. During choral singing, the heart rate of all participants is synchronized, and the heartbeat is hardened;

52. At rest, the volume of circulating blood per minute is 4 to 5 liters.But when performing hard physical work, an adult’s heart can pump from 20-30 liters, and for some athletes this figure reaches 40 liters;

53. In zero gravity, the heart transforms, it decreases in size and becomes rounded. However, six months after being under normal conditions, the “motor” again becomes the same as before;

54. Men who have sex at least twice a week rarely become patients of cardiologists;

55. In 80% of cases, the most common heart diseases are preventable.Proper nutrition, physical activity, rejection of bad habits and preventive examinations help in this.

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Interesting facts about human health. Blog FAMILY HEALTH.

Health is the most important value for every person. Many proverbs and folk wisdom are said in his honor. And not without reason, because a healthy person can do everything. And only when we get sick, we begin to value good health, the absence of pain and malaise, energy and vigor.The most interesting facts about human health that everyone should know about are collected in this article.

1. Salt is harmful to the cardiovascular system of the human body. If its quantity is reduced by at least 3 grams per day, life expectancy will increase by 5-6 years.

2. Experts at the University of Virginia have found that the human brain begins to age at the age of 27. It is also interesting that the peak of the capabilities of this body falls on 22 years.

3. Fish, namely the omega-3 fatty acids contained in it, have a beneficial effect on the work of the heart.The positive effect will be seen if consumed twice a week.

4. Scientists from a university in Switzerland have proven the link between stress and loss, tooth decay, and gum problems.

5. To slow down the aging of the skin, you need to eat a little dark chocolate every day.

6. You have never been interested in the question, why do common colds begin during a cold snap? This is because human skin is more sensitive to cold.For comparison: on one square centimeter of skin there are about 12 points sensitive to cold, and only 2 – to heat.

7. Scientists have long concluded that there are products that help rejuvenate the human body. Among them: dark chocolate, tea, spinach, strawberries, apples, black currants, grapes (red), oranges, pomegranates, bran cereals and others.

8. Fresh wild rose, currant, sea buckthorn and black chokeberry improve vascular tone and prevent varicose veins.

9. Did you know that 50% of DJs have hearing problems?

10. If you regularly consume orange or grapefruit juice, you can significantly reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

11. Coffee beans, or rather the chlorogenic acid contained in them, protects our brain from destruction.

12. Interesting facts about human health also relate to the effect of vitamins and minerals on our appearance. So, few people know that cucumbers improve the condition of nails.For cosmetic purposes, this vegetable can not only be consumed inside, but also its juice can be used as trays and lotions.

13. Honey has a positive effect on human intellectual abilities.

14. People who live on the coast live longer than the inhabitants of the mainland.

15. Sports activities should bring pleasure, energy and strength. But scientists have found that if you actively engage in more spirit hours a day, the opposite effect can occur.This manifests itself in the form of apathy, headaches, sleep and appetite disturbances, and more serious problems.

16. Less than 10% of all people on the planet can breathe correctly. When breathing, it is necessary to involve not only the chest, but also the abdomen.

17. Canadian scientists have found that sleep disturbance can be the cause of excess weight.

18. Eating kiwi and using it as a face mask rejuvenates the skin.

19. Do you know why all men are very fond of meat? Besides the fact that it adds strength, meat contributes to the production of the male hormone testosterone.

20. Eat parsley leaves to strengthen the immune system.

21. If you eat the kernels of five walnuts every day, life expectancy will increase by 7 years.

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90,000 Interesting facts about a healthy lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle is not just a fashion trend. The correct attitude to one’s own health helps a person to be more successful in all spheres of life, to solve problems more efficiently and calmly cope with any difficulties.Here are some interesting facts that you should know whether you are leading a healthy lifestyle now or just about to start.

1. The healthiest place on our planet is the Japanese island of Okinawa. More than 450 centenarians are officially registered on it, each of whom is more than 100 years old.
2. Smokers find cigarettes to help them fight stress. In reality, they just get nervous about little things that non-smokers would not pay attention to.
   3. Watching TV for a long time is no less tiring than a difficult or routine work, and can even lead to chronic fatigue syndrome.
3. It is useful to fall asleep in an embrace. This allows you to better relax your muscles and release stress from your thoughts, significantly improving the quality of your sleep.
4. Numerous studies have confirmed that chocolate not only improves mood, but also increases mathematical ability.
5. A reclusive lifestyle reduces immunity.But constant contact with friends, loved ones and loved ones can strengthen the body’s immune system by 60%.
6. Sprinkling sugar on a fresh wound can reduce pain and speed up healing. But this can only be done with small cuts.
7. To miss a dear person is harmful. Separation anxiety and dissatisfaction impair the quality of sleep, greatly affecting your health.
8. Cherry juice promotes apoptosis (self-destruction) of newly formed cancer cells.
9. Sugary drinks, if consumed regularly, can cause great damage to the teeth.
10. Outwardly calm people who never complain about life are more likely to suffer from prolonged stress and latent anxiety.
    13. An artificial heart has been created, which copes with its work completely silently (a person does not even have a pulse).
    14. The habit of crunching knuckles does not harm the joints. The sound is emitted by air bubbles that appear in the synovial fluid when the “ground” cartilage plates separate.
11. Stress has been called the “silent killer”. It can greatly harm the cardiovascular system, provoke painful discomfort in the chest, lead to hypertension and early death.
12. Having a cat in an apartment reduces the likelihood of heart disease by 40%, and the risk of sudden attacks and strokes by 30%.
    but excessive attachment to cats can cause mental changes that can lead to suicide.
13. In one zoo a tigress lost her entire brood of cubs.Due to stress, her health deteriorated greatly, and then piglets were slipped into her, dressed up in specially sewn tiger suits. She immediately accepted them and began to recover.
    19. Sleeping less than 4 or more than 10 hours a night increases the risk of early death. The healthiest amount of sleep is 7-8 hours.
    20. Breaking up is a severe stress that causes feelings of withdrawal from drug addicts.
14. Morning kisses increase stress tolerance for the whole day.

Valeologist P.P. Vysotskaya

FACTS ABOUT HEALTH | Brest State University named after A.S. Pushkin

Jn Interesting facts about health. Health is wealth! It is imperative to be healthy. Everything in this world is replaceable except health. The well-known aphorism “prevention is better than cure” is popular with everyone, and everyone agrees with it.Maintaining health requires a healthy diet, exercise and a good lifestyle, hence it is not a difficult task to be healthy. Let’s take a look at some health facts.

Health Facts

• Exercising when you are young will improve your brain function as you get older.
• Earwax protects the inner ear from fungi, bacteria, insects and dirt.It also cleans and lubricates the ear canal.
• Insulin, which is responsible for converting excess sugar into fat, is produced by the body at its peak in the evening.
• Poor nutrition of pregnant mothers can cause premature aging of the baby’s heart.
• When your body is sedentary, the brain slows down because of the reduced availability of fresh oxygen to the blood.
• When you feel a pulse in your wrist or neck, it means that the blood starts moving and stops in the artery.
• Neck pain can come from stress and anxiety.
• Ginger can reduce muscle pain induced by up to 25%.
• Eating too much meat can accelerate biological aging.
• The human head loses heat at the same rate as any other part of the body.
• There are more bacterial cells in your body than human cells.
• Depressed people get colds more often. Energetic, happy and relaxed people are immune to colds and flu.
• Laughter increases the activity of antibodies in the body by 20%, helping to destroy viruses and cancer cells.
• Blackberries help the brain to store new information.
• Every time you eat or drink, you either feed or fight the disease.
• Your weight can range from 0.1 to 1.5 kg throughout the day.
• A diet rich in vegetables and fruits may reduce the risk of heart disease, including stroke and heart attack.
• 30-40% of UV – still penetrates through cloud cover in cloudy weather.

Interesting Health Facts

• Women who use hormonal form of birth control are more prone to depression than those who do not.
• Just 1 day of inactivity and excessive sitting position affects the body’s ability to process insulin, thereby increasing the risk of diabetes.
• 5% of adults have diabetes. This is almost double what it was in 1980.
• Drinking water can help someone with weight loss. The rate at which our body breaks down our fat increases.
• A cup of coffee a day can help you reduce your risk of depression by 20%.
• Sleeping less than 7 hours a day can reduce life expectancy.

Various health facts

• Lack of exercise causes as many deaths as smoking.(debatable … editor’s note).
• Eating regularly in restaurants doubles the risk of obesity.
• More than 30% of cancers can be prevented by avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and having a healthy diet and physical activity.
• Walking can reduce your risk of breast cancer by 25%.
• The diet of the father before conception plays a decisive role in the health of the child.
• Severe depression can lead us to a decrease in biological age by increasing the aging process in cells.
• Marijuana smokers are at risk of frequent bronchitis and other respiratory diseases, just like cigarette smokers.
• In healthcare, $ 6.9 billion a year goes to fight constipation, this is only in the United States.
• People who complain live longer because tension is released, resulting in increased immunity and increased health.
• The first dead heart transplant was performed by surgeons in Australia in October 2014.
• People who read books live on average 2 years longer than those who do not read at all.
• Nearly 150,000 people die in the UK every year because very few people can give first aid.
• The first country in the world to officially eradicate measles was America.
• Nightmares are early signs of brain diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

Strange Health Facts

• More than 13 million work days are lost annually due to stress-related illness.
• Right-handers have better oral health and a lower incidence of tooth decay because they have better hand dexterity and are more efficient.
• Right-handers live on average 9 years longer than left-handers.
• Diabetes is the number one cause of blindness in the United States.
• Sunburn causes more skin cancer than lung cancer due to smoking.
• The human brain stops growing at the age of 18.
• Walking at a fast pace for 5 km burns almost as many calories as running the same distance.
• Today chickens are fattened so much that they weigh 266% more than 40 years ago.
• Chocolate beautifies your skin.

Health.Fact of the day

• An hour of daily exercise is not enough to combat the harmful effects of sitting out all day.
• People who sit for more than 23 hours a week are at risk for cardiovascular disease.
• The average office desk contains 400 times more bacteria than the toilet.
• Every half hour of physical activity, 6 days a week, can reduce the risk of premature death by 40%.
• Yogurt contains probiotic bacteria that are beneficial for the digestive system.
• Eating tomatoes helps prevent sunburn.
• If you dissolve DNA from all the cells in your body, then this thread will stretch over a distance of 10 billion km. This is, for example, the distance from Earth to Pluto and back.

Proctology – Specialization | Hirslanden Switzerland

The length of all blood vessels in an adult is approximately 100,000 km.All blood vessels, together with the heart, form the anatomical basis for the circulatory system and thus transport oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.

There are different types of blood vessels:

• Aorta
• Arteries
• Arterioles
• Capillaries
• Vienna
• Venules
• Hollow veins

Aorta (main arterial vessel of the systemic circulation)

The aorta exits directly from the heart and therefore bears the name of the main artery.It transports blood from the left heart chamber to the arterial vessels of the circulatory system.

Arteries (blood vessels carrying blood from the heart to the organs)

Arteries are all blood vessels that transport blood from the heart to the body. With the exception of the pulmonary artery, which transports oxygen-depleted blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs, the rest of the arteries transport oxygen-rich blood. Arteries are also called “beating veins” (literally from him.”Schlagader”) or “pulsating veins” (literally from German. “Pulsader”) (so they are called, because in large arteries you can feel the pulse).

Arterioles (small arteries)

In the vascular system, arterioles are a transitional form between arteries and capillaries. They precede the capillaries and are located behind the arteries. Arterioles can expand and contract and thus regulate blood flow and blood supply to organs.

Capillaries (vessels “thinner than a hair”)

Blood capillaries (hemocapillaries) connect the venous and arterial vascular systems.They are the thinnest branches of blood vessels and form the thinnest network in which the exchange of substances between blood vessels and body tissues takes place. In the lymphatic system, the lymphatic capillaries are the initial link in the lymphatic system, where the lymphatic fluid is collected.

Veins (blood vessels)

Veins carry the blood circulating in the body back to the heart. They are divided into deep and superficial veins, with more than 90% of all blood flowing through the deep veins.In an adult, this corresponds to approximately 8,000 liters of blood to be carried daily. With the exception of the pulmonary veins, all other veins carry venous (oxygen-depleted) blood. Together with capillaries and venules, they belong to the low pressure system of the circulatory system.

Venules (small veins)

Venules are tiny veins and can still be seen with the naked eye. For example, they are in the form of the finest vascular pattern on the sclera of the eyes (the albuginea of ​​the eye).

Hollow veins

The vena cava is represented in the vascular system by two large veins that collect venous (oxygen-depleted) blood from the veins of the body and carry it to the right atrium. There is the superior vena cava, which collects blood from the head, neck, chest, and upper extremities. The inferior vena cava collects blood from the abdomen, pelvis, and legs.

90,000 September 29 – World Heart Day

World Heart Day will be celebrated in Russia on September 29th. Russia joins in the celebrations.This day is the first in the Russian National Healthy Heart Week. The holiday is celebrated by cardiologists, other medical workers of organizations, associations, foundations, as well as people who are not indifferent to the problem of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Its goal is to raise the awareness of the inhabitants of the Earth about CVD, the prevention of coronary heart disease, cerebral strokes.