The heart pumps blood through the network of arteries and veins called the cardiovascular system.
The heart pumps blood with a rhythm determined by a group of pacemaking cells in the sinoatrial node.
The heart receives blood low in oxygen from the systemic circulation, which enters the right atrium from the superior and inferior venae cavae and passes to the right ventricle.
Oxygenated blood then returns to the left atrium, passes through the left ventricle and is pumped out through the aorta to the systemic circulation where the oxygen is used and metabolized to carbon dioxide.
The heart beats at a resting rate close to 72 beats per minute.
The heart has four chambers:
The right atrium receives blood from the veins and pumps it to the right ventricle.
The right ventricle receives blood from the right atrium and pumps it to the lungs, where it is loaded with oxygen.
The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it to the left ventricle.
The left ventricle (the strongest chamber) pumps oxygen rich blood to the rest of the body.
The left ventricle’s vigorous contractions create our blood pressure.
The coronary arteries run along the surface of the heart and provide oxygen rich blood to the heart muscle.
A web of nerve tissue also runs through the heart, conducting the complex signals that govern contraction and relaxation. Surrounding the heart is a sac called the pericardium.
Heart Conditions:
1. Coronary artery disease;
2. Stable angina pectoris;
3. Unstable angina pectoris;
4. Myocardial infarction;
5. Arrhythmia (dysrhythmia);
6. Congestive heart failure;
7. Cardiomyopathy;
8. Myocarditis;
9. Pericarditis;
10. Pericardial effusion;
11. Atrial fibrillation;
12. Pulmonary embolism;
13. Heart valve disease;
14. Heart murmur;
15. Endocarditis;
16. Mitral valve prolapse;
17. Sudden cardiac death;
18. Cardiac arrest.
