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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Cardiac Physiology
Introduction
The human heart is a fascinating and efficient organ, responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. Understanding cardiac physiology helps us comprehend how the heart functions, what can go wrong, and how we can maintain cardiovascular health.
Structure of the Heart
The heart consists of four chambers: - Right atrium: Receives deoxygenated blood from the body. - Right ventricle: Pumps blood to the lungs for oxygenation. - Left atrium: Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs. - Left ventricle: Pumps oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body.
Electrical Conduction System
The heart beats rhythmically due to an electrical conduction system: 1. Sinoatrial (SA) node: The natural pacemaker of the heart, initiating the heartbeat. 2. Atrioventricular (AV) node: Delays impulses to allow the atria to contract fully before the ventricles. 3. Bundle of His and Purkinje fibers: Conduct impulses rapidly, ensuring coordinated contraction of the ventricles.
Cardiac Cycle
The cardiac cycle consists of two main phases: - Systole: When the heart contracts and pumps blood. - Diastole: When the heart relaxes and fills with blood.
Cardiac Output and Blood Pressure
- Cardiac output (CO) is the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute, calculated as heart rate (HR) × stroke volume (SV).
- Blood pressure (BP) is the force of blood against arterial walls, influenced by cardiac output and vascular resistance.
How to Maintain a Healthy Heart
- Regular physical activity
- A balanced diet low in saturated fats and salt
- Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol intake
- Managing stress and maintaining a healthy weight
Understanding cardiac physiology is crucial for recognizing heart conditions, making lifestyle choices, and improving overall cardiovascular health.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements
- https://www.heart.org/
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-statements
- https://cpr.heart.org/en/resuscitation-science/cpr-and-ecc-guidelines
- https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/34/3227/6358713
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/44/39/4043/7238227
- https://www.escardio.org/
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.