The heart is an organ in charge of pumping blood throughout the body to supply oxygen, so that all organs function normally. If do not get oxygen, body tissues will broken and dead. Let's understand cara heart work in pumping blood, as well as any diseases that can interfere with work this organ.
The heart works relentlessly to support the circulatory system. In addition to the heart as the center, this system also consists of a network of blood vessels, such as arteries, veins, and capillaries.
Recognize Procedure Heart
There are four chambers of the heart that are involved in the work of the heart to pump blood to and from the body. The four chambers of the heart are the right and left atria (atria) at the top of the heart, and the right and left ventricles (chambers of the heart) at the bottom of the heart.
The right atrium of the heart will receive dirty blood or that contains little oxygen (because it binds to carbon dioxide) from the body, then this dirty blood is flowed into the right ventricle. Then by the right ventricle, dirty blood will be pumped to the lungs for the process of exchanging carbon dioxide with oxygen.
After this exchange occurs, the oxygen-filled blood will be pumped into the left atrium, then continue to the left ventricle of the heart to be flowed throughout the body through the large blood vessels (aorta).
The four chambers of the heart are separated by a septum, and are equipped with four valves. The function of the heart valves in helping the heart work is to regulate the direction of blood flow, so that blood does not flow back into the previous chamber. The four valves are:
- The tricuspid valve, which is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle of the heart.
- The pulmonary valve, which is located between the heart and the blood vessels leading to the lungs.
- The mitral valve, which is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart.
- The aortic valve, which is located between the heart and the large blood vessels leading throughout the body.
Disturbance Work Heart
Disorders of the heart can appear in any part of the heart, from the walls of the heart muscle, heart valves, to the electrical conduction of the heart that causes heart rhythm abnormalities. Any disorders of the heart can affect how the heart works in pumping blood.
Disorders can also occur in the coronary blood vessels, namely the blood vessels that provide blood and oxygen intake to the heart muscle. Coronary blood vessels can be blocked by plaque, so that blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked. This condition is called atherosclerosis.
Blockages in the coronary arteries will cause heart disease over time, when the heart muscle has experienced a lack of oxygen. When the supply of blood and oxygen to an area of the heart is completely blocked, a heart attack occurs. Symptoms include chest pain like being crushed, and radiating to the neck, jaw, or arms, cold sweats, shortness of breath, and weakness.
In order to maintain the work of the heart and minimize the risk of heart problems, you are advised to exercise regularly, eat healthy and nutritious foods, reduce salt consumption, maintain an ideal body weight, control blood pressure and cholesterol levels, get enough sleep, don't smoke, and limit drinking. alcoholic beverages.
You are also advised to have regular check-ups with a cardiologist, especially if you feel any symptoms of heart problems, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, easy fatigue, and swelling in the legs.