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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.
Heart Anatomy and Physiology
Introduction
The heart is a vital organ responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. Understanding its anatomy and physiology is crucial for recognizing how it functions and what happens when problems arise.
Heart Anatomy
1. Structure of the Heart
The heart is a muscular organ located slightly to the left of the midline in the chest. It consists of four chambers: - Right Atrium – Receives deoxygenated blood from the body. - Right Ventricle – Pumps deoxygenated 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.
2. Heart Valves
The heart has four valves ensuring one-way blood flow: - Tricuspid Valve (between right atrium and right ventricle) - Pulmonary Valve (between right ventricle and pulmonary artery) - Mitral Valve (between left atrium and left ventricle) - Aortic Valve (between left ventricle and aorta)
3. Coronary Arteries
The heart has its own blood supply through the coronary arteries. The two main coronary arteries, left and right coronary arteries, supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.
Heart Physiology
1. Cardiac Cycle
The cardiac cycle consists of two main phases: - Systole (contraction) – The heart pumps blood into the circulation. - Diastole (relaxation) – The heart fills with blood.
2. Electrical Conduction System
The heart has its own electrical system that controls how it beats: - Sinoatrial (SA) Node (natural pacemaker of the heart) - Atrioventricular (AV) Node (delays electrical signals to allow atria to contract first) - Bundle of His and Purkinje Fibers (spread the impulse to ventricles to ensure coordinated contraction)
3. Blood Circulation
Blood circulates in two circuits: - Pulmonary Circulation: Moves blood to and from the lungs for oxygenation. - Systemic Circulation: Distributes oxygenated blood throughout the body and returns deoxygenated blood to the heart.
Conclusion
Understanding heart anatomy and physiology is fundamental for diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases. A healthy heart relies on proper function, electrical activity, and circulation, making lifestyle choices and health monitoring essential.
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.