Living to The Beat of My Heart (by Kira Joseph)

As you’re reading this, you’ve probably heard terms like “I love you with all my heart” or “My heart belongs to you” countless times. Here I sit, with my feet pressed into the sands before me thinking if we really gave ALL our heart to them, what are we left with? Right?! You’re probably thinking the same but anyway this just goes to show the importance of this organ that we're willing to just give it ALL to someone else.

Lighten up people, I'm sure it's not meant literally!

Just as biologists and scientists alike define the mitochondria as the ‘powerhouse’ of a cell, I to believe, the heart is the ‘powerhouse’ of one's body. As a child we were led to believe that our heart is that corny picture we drew on paper that we would give to our parents, friends or even a crush of ours; past or present professing our love to them. How embarrassing! In reality, we really should have been drawing an aorta, septum, left and right ventricles and atriums, vena cava, pulmonary veins and arteries. Now that would've been impressive wouldn’t it!

It's only right that I make known what these structures do on a daily basis.

Beginning with the right atrium which collects deoxygenated blood that has returned from the body as opposed to the left atrium which collects deoxygenated blood that has returned from the lungs. Furthermore, the ventricles on a whole receives blood from atria. Individually, the right ventricle, when the heart contracts, pushes blood into an artery leading to the lungs. The blood will be oxygenated before returning to the heart. Whereas, the left ventricle pushes blood into blood vessels for circulation. The septum is a thick, muscular wall that runs down the middle of the heart separating left atrium and ventricle form right atrium and ventricle. In the end, these valves allow blood to flow into places it’s supposed to be and keep it out of places it should not be.

I knew the heart was something special because one minute you're ‘dead’ yet still it can be started up again and beat, outside the body? Unlike other muscles the heart is not regulated by the brain but rather contains regulatory mechanisms which lies within the heart itself. The heart conductive system contains a special group of cells called the ‘pace maker’ cells (SA node) that fire at regular intervals and cause the heart to beat. One's heartbeat can be felt by simply placing a hand on the ‘left’ side of the chest. The left side is worked harder because the muscles work twice as much than those on the right being that they have to pump blood all over the body whereas, the right side only pumps blood to the lungs.

Ever heard the saying “Do what your heart tells you?” I think it’s a pretty weird thing to suggest to a person. I mean how exactly does one “lubb dubb?” does the first sound we hear, scientifically is called a “lubb”. This occurs when the AV valve shut. The second sound is called a “dubb”. This occurs when the semilunar valve closes. Whoever came up with these sounds must have had one unique heart beat because I can’t say I've ever heard “lubb” or “dubb” in my life. Have you?! Or is it my heart only that beats “boop”. I’m confused!

Anyway, moving on from “lubbing” and “dubbing”, some diseases associated with the heart are as follows: Heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction. This

 is the buildup of plaque which can eventually block arteries. The lungs are then filled with fluid. In addition, it is said that up to five hundred (500) heart cells are lost each second. A Cardiac tamponade is another disease associated with the heart. If the sac becomes filled with fluid, this can result in the compression of the heart preventing it from expanding. This will eventually inhibit the hearts movement and can be fatal.
Another common disease is Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). This refers to a build-up of fluid/blood in the heart and lungs. This is associated with high blood pressure. People should include foods such as beet in their diet which can aid in lowering blood pressure. Other foods good for the heart includes nuts such as: walnuts or almonds, berries and fish rich in omega-3, for example: salmon, tuna and mackerel.

Truth is we can live with this heart of ours but definitely cannot live without one. So let's all be a little mindful of the things we put into our bodies ladies and gentlemen! Unless you have another one on standby ready for use whenever you need it when the old one stops working but…
I highly doubt that

     


  FUN FACTS:
• The heart weighs 7-15 ounces!
• It pumps roughly 2000 gallons of blood through the body every day!
• It is located in the middle of the chest and just left to the breast bone!
• The heart is a giant muscle!
•The left ventricle is the largest and strongest of the four heart chambers!