Know Your Heart AnatomyUnderstanding how your heart functions and contributes to your entire body can go a long way in helping you appreciate the hardest-working muscle in your body. Your heart is made up of:4 ChambersThe two upper chambers (the atria) receive and collect blood. The two lower chambers (the ventricles) pump blood to other parts of your body. 4 ValvesThe aortic, pulmonary, mitral and tricuspid valves are designed to allow the forward flow of blood and prevent the backward flow. Blood passes through a valve before leaving each chamber of the heart. What are valves anyway? Valves are actually flaps (leaflets). They either act as one-way inlets for blood coming into a ventricle or one-way outlets for blood leaving a ventricle. As the heart muscle contracts and relaxes, the valves open and shut, letting blood flow through. Blood VesselsThese bring blood to the lungs, where oxygen enters the bloodstream, and then to the body. An Electrical SystemThis serves as a natural pacemaker and stimulates contraction of the heart muscle. How does the heart work? In short, it has a big job. “Your cardiovascular system — made up of the heart and blood vessels — is responsible for circulating blood throughout your body to supply your tissues with oxygen and nutrients. “Your heart is the muscle that pumps your blood through the blood vessels to the body tissues. A network of arteries and veins also carries blood throughout the body. Quick facts about your heart
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AuthorCardiac Exercise Specialist |