Heart Health

The heart is a hollow muscular organ located in the center of the chest.  Each side of the heart have an upper chamber called atrium which collects blood and pumps it into a lower chamber called the ventricle which pumps blood out.  The heartbeats are evidence that the heart is pumping.

The only function of the heart is to pump blood.  The right side of the heart pumps blood to the lungs while the left side pumps blood to the rest of the body.  As in all other organs, the heart needs a constant supply of oxygen-rich blood.

Disorders that affect the heart or blood vessels are called cardiovascular disorders.  These disorders are usually divided into heart diseases and peripheral blood vessel disorders.  Problems affecting the heart and the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle are categorized under heart diseases while those affecting the blood vessels of the arms, legs and trunk, excluding those supplying the heart are considered peripheral blood vessel disorders.  Disorders that affect the blood vessels that supply the brain are called cerebrovascular disorders.

Coronary heart disease leading to heart attack or stroke have several modifiable risk factors.  These are high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes.  The risks can be reduced considerably by adapting certain therapeutic lifestyle changes.  Aging has unavoidable effects on the heart but these effects can be reduced by a healthy lifestyle and regular physical activity.