The heart is a hollow, muscular organ composed of an involuntary muscle that pumps blood in rhythmic contractions throughout the vascular system. The contractions of the heart circulate your entire blood supply throughout your body three times every minute.

Your heart beats approximately 70 times every minute, 100,000 times every day, 35 million times a year, and 2.5 billion times in the average lifetime. These strong contractions propel the blood through the vascular system, which contains over 60,000 miles of blood vessels – that’s over twice the circumference of the earth at the equator!

The heart is the body’s most impressive muscle, and yet its average weight is less than a pound.

Everything that the heart does helps the body function. The heart pumps the blood, which distributes oxygen, glucose and amino acids to the body and removes waste products from the cells. For instance, if the brain does not receive oxygen and glucose continuously, we will lose consciousness.

Muscles require oxygen, glucose and amino acids as well as a divine ratio of sodium, calcium and potassium salts in order to contract normally.
The heart provides these and other critical functions, which is why if the heart stops, the entire body shut down after a dangerously short period of time.
Over the course of an average lifetime, a human heart will pump close to one million barrels of blood – that’s enough to fill three super tankers, with some to spare!

The heart is a complex and intricate muscle containing four chambers: the right and left atria (located at the top) and the right and left ventricles (located at the bottom). In the right atrium, a group of cells (called the sinus node) generates the electrical impulses that cause muscle contractions. The heart is enclosed by the pericardium, a protective sac containing fluid that reduces the friction of repetitive contractions of cardiac muscle.

Blood that has already visited the body’s cells and has already distributed its nutrients is drawn from the body by the right half of the heart and then sent to the lungs to be re-oxygenated. After the blood has been re-oxygenated, the left side of the heart draws it back in and pumps back out into the bloodstream. The atria draw blood in from the lungs and body, and the ventricles pump it back out to the lungs and body.

Clearly, if the heart does not function properly, our whole body will suffer. Just like everything else, if we don’t take good care of our hearts, a myriad of malfunctions can result. The following are some friendly suggestions for maintaining a healthy heart.

The Importance of Exercise

Many of us regard physical exercise as a chore. But exercise should be a personal joy, something you can look forward to several times a week.

Exercise is like reading – there’s something out there for everyone. Too many of us associate exercise with pain and we willingly put ourselves through things we hate, setting ourselves up for failure before we even begin. Don’t try taking up jogging for the fifth time if you know you find it boring. If you hate climbing stairs, don’t waste your time on a stair climber or a step-aerobics class. The trick is to find a physical activity that not only gets your heart pumping, but fits your personality and your lifestyle.

If you’re having difficulty determining what it is you might enjoy, don’t worry! Today’s gyms have a vast variety of creative ways of making the heart dance, from elliptical machines to group aquatic activities. Some of us need the motivational reinforcement of group exercises like body toning and step classes. Others are better suited to engage in team sports like volleyball or softball, especially if you enjoy friendly competition or the camaraderie of a team. And then some of us just want to exercise alone, whether it’s swimming, biking or jogging.

There is also your schedule to consider. Are you a morning person? Or, are you more likely to hit the snooze button repeatedly? This, along with your work schedule, should help you determine when to exercise. If you decide to do something solitary to begin with, start with a small sliver of time, like 15 minutes at a time.

Think of it as time you might otherwise spend in front of the television. After you establish a routine, you should increase the time of each exercise session -- slowly. Try to repeat your exercise routine three to four times a week. Take advantage of pockets of time throughout the day. How about not fighting so hard for that parking spot close to the door? Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk around while talking on the phone. Think of all the moments of the day you can capitalize on to become more active.

Substance Abuse

Smoking, abusing drugs and drinking alcohol excessively can place undue strain on the heart. Because the heart’s job is to pump nutrient-rich blood through the body and get rid of waste, toxins will taint your blood and make it harder for nutrients to nourish all of your needy cells. Over time, these practices can make your heart suffer .

Research studies indicate that smoking greatly increases risk of heart attacks and cardiac death. But it’s never too late to quit. Since all drugs are foreign substances, they can certainly affect your heart. This includes some prescription and over-the-counter medications, so be sure to follow the dosages outlined on the labels.

The Wonderful World of Fish

Did you know that fish aquariums have a soothing effect on human beings? In fact, you may have noticed that many doctors’ offices have aquariums in the waiting room. Fish tanks are known to lower the stress of waiting room anxiety, soothing those jangled nerves. In 1999, a study showed that tanks of brightly-hued fish decreased disruptive behaviors of patients with degenerative mental illnesses. They’ve also been proven to calm children diagnosed with ADHD.


Something Else to Consider

In addition to the preceding suggestions for a healthy heart, also keep in mind the importance of integrating Omega-3 essential fatty acids into your diet, whether it’s through eating fish or through using a dietary supplement. The American Heart Association recommends eating foods containing Omega-3 fatty acids to protect the heart. In the long run, your heart will thank you for it!