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Mar 10, 2015 · The heart is a mostly hollow, muscular organ composed of cardiac muscles and connective tissue that acts as a pump to distribute blood throughout the body’s tissues. The heart is the epicenter ...
- Coronaries
The heart is one of the hardest working organs in the body,...
- Left Atrium
The left atrium is one of the four chambers of the heart,...
- Coronaries
- Overview
- How does the heart work?
- Heart anatomy
- How do you know if the heart is healthy?
- Symptoms of a heart attack
- Other heart conditions
- When to see a doctor
- Summary
The heart is a complex organ that pumps blood throughout the body. It sits in the chest, slightly left of center, behind the breastbone, and between the lungs.
A heart that is not healthy does not always produce symptoms. However, certain signs and symptoms can indicate a problem with the heart.
The heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. To do this, the heart fills with blood and then contracts to push the blood through the circulatory system. Electrical impulses tell the heart how often to contract or “beat.”
The right side of the heart receives blood from the veins and pumps it on toward the lungs. Here, the blood receives oxygen and removes carbon dioxide for the lungs to breathe out. The left side of the heart then receives the oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it through arteries to the rest of the body.
The interactive BodyMap diagram below shows the location of the heart in the chest. Press the buttons to interact, including adding and removing layers and moving around the diagram.
The heart has four distinct chambers. The left and right atria are at the top, and the left and right ventricles are at the bottom. The septum is a tissue wall separating the left and right chambers.
The heart also has four valves:
•The pulmonic valve opens and closes to regulate blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery (lungs).
•The aortic valve opens and closes to regulate oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the aorta (the largest artery in the body).
•The mitral valve opens and closes to regulate oxygenated blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle.
Signs of arrhythmia
Heart arrhythmia is the medical term for a heartbeat that is too fast, too slow, or irregular. Arrhythmias occur when the electrical impulses that control the heartbeat malfunction. This can give rise to a fluttering sensation in the chest, which doctors refer to as palpitations. A persistent arrhythmia can affect heart function, leading to more severe symptoms, such as: •pounding sensations in the chest •weakness or fatigue •dizziness or lightheadedness •fainting •shortness of breath •anxiety •pain or pressure in the chest •sudden cardiac arrest •swelling in the feet, legs, hands or other areas of the body Palpitations are not always a sign of an underlying heart condition. They can occur as a result of anxiety or the use of caffeine and other stimulants. However, a person should see a doctor if they experience frequent arrhythmias, or they experience other signs and symptoms of a heart problem.
Signs of heart failure
Heart failure is where the heart is no longer effective at pumping blood around the body. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), some common signs of heart failure include: •an unexplained increase in heart rate •tiredness or fatigue •confusion or inability to think clearly •nausea •loss of appetite •swelling in the feet, legs, hands or other areas of the body with unexplained weight gain •shortness of breath •sleeping on extra pillows •waking up at night short of breath •a persistent cough that may produce pink-tinged mucus
A heart attack is a medical emergency in which the blood supply to the heart becomes blocked. Without sufficient blood supply, the heart muscles become damaged and begin to die.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the five most common signs of a heart attack include:
•chest pain or discomfort
•pain or discomfort in one or both shoulders or arms
•discomfort or pain in the jaw, back or neck
•shortness of breath
Heart disease is an umbrella term that can refer to several different heart conditions. The most common is coronary artery disease (CAD). In CAD, the major arteries that supply the heart become blocked or damaged, thereby increasing the risk of a heart attack.
Other conditions related to heart disease include:
•Angina: Pain in the chest due to lack of blood to the heart.
•Aortic aneurysm and dissection: A condition in which the aorta becomes enlarged or torn.
•Arrhythmias: A heartbeat that is irregular or abnormally fast or slow.
•Atherosclerosis: A buildup of fatty deposits, or plaque, in the arteries.
A person should talk to their doctor if they experience signs or symptoms of the following conditions:
•heart arrhythmia
•heart disease
•any underlying medical condition that could affect the heart
The heart is a complex organ with several chambers, valves, and tissues that work together to pump blood around the body. Electrical impulses regulate the timing of each heartbeat.
Sometimes, heart disease is silent, meaning a person may not develop any symptoms until they experience a cardiac event, such as arrhythmia or heart attack. People must see a doctor if they experience any concerns relating to their heart.
Jan 9, 2017 · Your heart is found behind your breastbone and is located between your lungs. The center of the heart is located slightly to the left of the mid-line of your body. It is protected in a membrane called the pericardium. Your heart is surrounded by important blood vessels and arteries which pump blood into and out of your heart.
Sep 14, 2021 · The great veins, the superior and inferior venae cavae, and the great arteries, the aorta and pulmonary trunk, are attached to the superior surface of the heart, called the base. The base of the heart is located at the level of the third costal cartilage, as seen in Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\).
Jun 11, 2024 · Roles of your four heart valves. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. How the heart works. Frontiers in Physiology. Physiology of pericardial fluid. John Hopkins Medicine. Anatomy and function of the coronary arteries. University of Rochester Medical Center. About the heart and blood vessels. American Heart Association. Your aorta: the ...
Nov 27, 2024 · The base of the heart is located along the body's midline with the apex pointing toward the left side. Because the heart points to the left, about 2/3 of the heart's mass is found on the left side of the body and the other 1/3 is on the right. Anatomy of the Heart Pericardium. The heart sits within a fluid-filled cavity called the pericardial ...
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Apr 7, 1997 · In a single day, it beats roughly 100,000 times, pumping blood throughout your body. In this animated interactive, explore the anatomy of the human heart, see exactly how the heart works, and ...
