Heart Contractions

"Heart Contractions: How It Works and How to Improve It"

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the most common causes of death in the world. According to the World Health Organization, more than 17 million people die from heart disease every year. However, many of these cases can be prevented or slowed by paying attention to heart and vascular health.

The heart is a powerful organ that works around the clock to provide the body with oxygen and nutrients. Its ability to perform rhythmic contractions begins at an early stage of embryonic development and continues without interruption throughout the life of the organism. But what happens when the heart beats irregularly or inefficiently? How does this affect the health of the body?

The contractions of the heart are the basis of its functioning. They ensure blood circulation through the vessels, delivering oxygen and nutrients to all tissues and organs. If the heart does not beat for several seconds, the person may lose consciousness, and if it stops for several minutes, death will occur. Therefore, heart health is critical for our body.

The heart of a person at rest pumps about 5 liters of blood per minute, or about 75 ml with each beat. For every minute, an amount of blood passes through the heart equal to the total amount in the body. And over the 70 years of a person’s life, his heart contracts about 2,600 million times and pumps at least 155 million liters (about 150,000 tons) of blood. These are impressive numbers and highlight the importance of heart health.

Physical exercise can help improve heart health. It leads to an increase in the stroke volume of the heart, which allows the athlete to increase the total amount of blood pumped without as much increase in heart rate as would be necessary for an untrained person. However, it's not just exercise that can help improve heart health. Quitting smoking, eating right, getting enough rest, and reducing stress can also help promote heart health.

The heart's rate is controlled by a number of factors, including the nodular tissue inside the heart and two systems of nerve fibers coming from the brain. However, in some cases, the heart may begin to beat irregularly or uncoordinated, which can lead to cardiac arrhythmia or other heart conditions. Often such cases are caused by disturbances in the functioning of these factors regulating heart contractions.

There are different types of cardiac arrhythmias, which can manifest as fast or slow heart rates, skipped beats, or irregular intervals between beats. They can be caused by various reasons, such as stress, fatigue, alcohol or drug abuse, heredity or other diseases.

Various methods may be used to treat cardiac arrhythmias, including medications, cardioversion procedures, and pacemaker implantation. However, it is important to remember that many cardiac arrhythmias can be prevented or reduced by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy diet, physical activity and stress management.

In conclusion, heart health is critical to our body. The contractions of the heart are the basis of its functioning, circulating blood through the vessels and delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, adequate rest, and reduced stress can help improve heart health. However, if you have heart disease, it is important to consult a specialist to determine the best treatment method and prevent possible complications.