Facts and statistics about the human heart are as essential to know as the existence of the pumping organ itself. The interesting fact about the heart is that it never tires. It beats constantly!
And this gets us to an easy as well as a complex question:
What is a human heart?
Well, a human heart is an organ that beats like crazy when that special someone crosses your sight or when you’re nervous, anxious, or excited! Which only sounds good in common language...
Now, let’s leave the hopeless romantic persona behind and get into scientific terms.
The human heart is a muscular organ found in the chest of all mammals and many reptiles. Its two aspects include left and right sides, connected by two constrictions known as the vena cava and the azygos vein.
Functions…
It carries oxygen from the lungs to the cells of the body.
Carries the internal waste thereby deliveries it to kidneys.
Also helps white blood cells to fight against diseases.
Specification of right and left sides of the heart
The right side of the human heart pumps blood into the lungs.
Absorbs nutrients and transports them to body cells.
The left side of the heart pumps oxygenated blood throughout the body.
And both of these specifications are mandatory in order to run a physically healthy body!
Weighing of the heart
It’s a known fact that the human heart is about the size of a fist.
The human heart weighs approximately 300 to 350 grams or 0.66 to 0.79 pounds.
The largest marine mammal blue whale has the largest heart in the world weighing 1,500 pounds.
Facts and statistics about the beating of a human heart
Roughly speaking, a normal heart beats 100,000 times a day.
For the general population, the heart beats about 70 times per minute but for athletes, it beats up to 100 times per minute.
The heart of an average man beats approximately 70 times a minute, while the heart of an average woman beats approximately 78 times a minute.
The human heart has the proficiency to beat over 3 billion times.
Biological facts and statistics about the human heart
According to the data, heart disease is one of the greatest threats to the heart.
The sound made by the heart that we call heartbeat is the sound made by four valves.
The walls of the left atrium of the heart are 3 times thicker than the right atrium.
Maintaining regular exercise is a must to a healthy body also it is an important factor for heart health.
A healthy heart pumps about 1 million barrels of blood during an average life of an individual.
75 trillion cells in the body receive blood from the heart. However, only the corneas don’t get any blood supply.
Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death related to the heart.
Death from a broken heart is not simply a part of TV series but it can happen in real. A study in over 2,000 heart attack survivors showed that the attacks took place as a result of the loss of someone dear.
Unknown facts about the human heart
According to the facts and statistics about the human heart:
Firstly, a study states that the amount of blood pumped by the heart in an average lifetime equals the amount of water left open from a faucet for at least 45 years!
Secondly, a human’s heart has the property to change the heartbeat depending on the music they listen to. Where soothing music relaxes the heart, rock music makes it feel like it’s about to pop out of the chest!
Thirdly, the heart has its own electrical impulse which helps it to continue to beat even when separated from the body. But it has to have an adequate supply of oxygen when detached.
Fourth, a person’s left lung is narrower than the right lung so that there is fine room for the heart.
Fifth, research has indicated that owning a cat can reduce the risk of heart attacks by more than a 3%.
Sixth, consuming dark chocolate can reduce the risk of heart diseases.
Seventh, a woman's average heartbeat is faster than a man's by nearly 8 beats a minute!
Eighth, according to a study, vegetarians are less likely to get heart diseases by 32%.
Ninth, heart cancer is a very rare case.
Tenth, the energy generated by a heart throughout a day can drive a truck for 20 miles.
Amazing facts about the human heart
It’s a proven myth that sneezing stops the beating of the heart.
Usage of Cocaine or any other drug for that matter affects the heart's electrical activities.
Indeed lack of sleep can cause irregular jumping of heartbeats. Also known as Premature Ventricular Contractions.
The term ‘atrium’ in Latin means entrance hall and ‘ventricle’ in Latin means little belly.
According to a study, coffee drinkers do not face heart rhythm problems.
Relation of the human heart with history
William Harvey who was a prominent surgeon discovered the circulation of the blood in the 17th century.
The theories and discoveries regarding the function of the heart have a deep history. It stretches back to ancient Greek and Egyptian times.
Aristotle, a Greek philosopher identified that the heart is the most essential organ of the human body.
The term ‘to feel or heartfelt’ originated from Aristotle's philosophy. It stated that the heart collected sensory input from the peripheral organs through the blood vessels.
According to earlier Egyptians, they believed that the heart and other major organs had wills of their own. They went so far as to say that the organs would move around inside the body. No matter that could be one of the reasons they cleared these organs before placing their pharaohs in tombs!
Conclusion
The human heart has its place in almost all fields. You’ll find it in history, psychology, philosophy, biology, mathematics, and literature too. Harsh truth, a heart is an essential organ to the human populace failing which not only leads to the end of life but also to the person’s very existence…
Cancer may be the major cause of death worldwide but heart diseases are also not something that should be denied. It needs attention and a very quick one!
