The heart is the main organ of the circulatory system.

In
vertebrate animals, including humans and mammals in general,
it is a hollow muscular organ that functions as a suction and
impelling pump that drives the blood through the arteries to
distribute it through whole body. The human heart is the size of a
fist, weighs between 250 and 300 grams in women and between
300 and 350 grams in men, which is equivalent to 0.40% of
body weight. It is located in the center of the thoracic cavity
flanked on both sides by the lungs.
In the next conversation we will see how Alejandra tells her friend Tony
what she learned in school with her new teacher about the heart..
Alejandra.- Hello Tony
Tony.- Hello Alejandra
Alejandra.- How are you friend?
Tony.- Well, I do not even ask you, why are you so happy?
Alejandra.- Today I learned something very interesting about the
heart
Tony.- Wow, it's fascinating, tell me what you learned
Alejandra.- Well, the main thing was that the heart is the motor
of the human or any living being, like the motor of cars, without
it we do not live
Tony.-Amazing
Alejandra.- Yes, it is fascinating, as the heart is not so big it is
indispensable
Alejandra.- But she also needs a very special care since there
are many diseases that can damage her
Tony.- What diseases?
Alejandra.- It may be something like that but, cardiovascular
diseases are the most important cause of death worldwide.
Heart diseases that globally represent a major health problem
are ischemic heart disease and heart failure.
Tony.- Wow, it's an organ then a bit sensitive
Alejandra.- Yes, but with a healthy lifestyle and with exercise you
can take great care without needing to always be on the lookout.
Tony. - The right ventricle pushes blood through the pulmonary
valve into the pulmonary artery and lungs. The blood is
oxygenated as it passes through the lungs and returns to the left
heart through the pulmonary tract, entering the left atrium
Alejandra. -The heart is between the lungs in the center of the
chest, behind and slightly to the left of the sternum.
Tony. - The structure of the human heart
is made up of 3 layers:
Pericardium - is like a foil that wraps around the outside
Myocardium - is the heart muscle, responsible for driving blood
through the body by contraction.
Endocardium - is a thin layer that covers it inside.
Alejandra. - Within the heart there are 4 cavities:
2 atria located in the upper part (right atrium and left atrium)
2 ventricles located in the lower part (right ventricle and left
ventricle)
Tony. - It is the muscle that pumps oxygen-rich blood and
nutrients to the tissues of the body through the blood vessels.

Alejandra.- The arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart

to the tissues of the body. In the tissues the nutrients are
extracted and it comes back through the veins. The veins carry
blood back to the heart.
Tony.- The heart too has The heart has four chambers, two upper
atria, the receiving chambers, and two lower ventricles, the
discharging chambers.
Alejandra.- It's true, the heart has chambers the which do the
atria open into the ventricles via the atrioventricular valves,
present in the atrioventricular septum. This distinction is visible
also on the surface of the heart as the coronary sulcus.
Tony.- Too has there is an ear-shaped structure in the upper right
atrium called the right atrial appendage, vs auricle, and another
in the upper left atrium, the left atrial appendage.
Alejandra.- The heart too has a cardiac skeleton
Tony.- Oh is true
Alejandra.- The cardiac skeleton is made of dense connective
tissue and this gives structure to the heart. It forms the
atrioventricular septum which separates the atria from the
ventricles, and the fibrous rings which serve as bases for the
four heart valves.
Tony.- The cardiac skeleton also provides an important boundary
in the heart's electrical conduction system since collagen cannot
conduct electricity. The interatrial septum separates the atria
and the interventricular septum separates the ventricles.
Alejandra.- if tony all that is very interesting, but you knew that
heart attacks are very common.
Tony.- seriously ?.
Alondra.- yes i will tell you.
Tony.- I hear you.
Alondra.- You knew that Every year, almost 800,000 Americans
suffer a heart attack. A heart attack occurs when the blood flow
to the heart is suddenly blocked.
Tony.- seriously and why that happens ?.
Alondra.- Because without the blood that enters the heart, it can
not get oxygen. If not treated quickly, the heart muscle begins
to die. But if you receive rapid treatment, you may be able to
prevent or limit damage to the heart muscle. That's why it's
important to know the symptoms and call 911 if you or someone
else presents them. You should call even if you are not sure it is
a heart attack.
Tony.- and what are the lark symptoms?
Alondra.- The most common symptoms in men and women are
discomfort in the chest, shortness of breath and discomfort in
the upper body. You may also have other symptoms, such as
nausea, vomiting, dizziness and lightheadedness. You can go out
with a cold sweat. Sometimes women have different symptoms
than men. For example, they are more likely to feel tired for no
reason.
Tony.- and why do they happen?
Alondra.- The most common cause of heart attacks is coronary
artery disease. In this, there is an accumulation of cholesterol
and other material, called plaque, in the internal walls or
arteries. This is called arteriosclerosis. It can accumulate for
years. Eventually, an area of the plaque may rupture, forming a
blood clot around the plaque and block the artery. A less
common cause of heart attack is a severe spasm, a hardening of
a coronary artery. The spasm cuts the blood flow through the
artery.
Tony.- and how do you know how bad it was?
Alondra.- Well, in the hospital, health care providers make a
diagnosis based on their symptoms, blood tests and different
cardiac health tests. Treatments may include medications and
medical procedures such as coronary angioplasty. After a heart
attack, cardiac rehabilitation and changes in lifestyle can help
you recover.