The heart is an amazing organ. It is really a specially designed muscle about the size of a fist and weighing about 250 grams that is divided into four chambers and which acts as an almost never-ending pump, pushing blood around our bodies. In most cases it is so efficient and operates so automatically that we don’t even think about it and yet without it we would instantly die. Some see the heart as the centre of emotions, even though this is not true, but without it we would not be able to kiss, cuddle or in fact do anything else!

In an average lifetime the human heart beats an amazing 2,000 million times and pumps 110 million gallons of blood. The average heart rate is around 70 beats per minute but certain things can increase the heart rate including when we go on that first date. In some ways it is similar to a central heating pump but whereas the central heating pump needs regular servicing every few years and occasional replacement, most hearts keep going with very little attention for around 80 years and rarely need replacing.

One of the incredible things about the heart is that it generates its own pulse or contraction. Most of our muscles need us to think about contracting them in order to move, smile, kiss or talk but the heart generates its own electrical signal which causes the chambers to contract in a particular sequence resulting in blood squirting out of it initially at a rate of around 30cm a second. (Stronger than this if you are excited or in love!).

Like any organ of the body the heart can go wrong. Generally speaking the problems can be divided into problems with the blood supply to the heart itself, problems with the muscle which makes up the heart tissue and problems with the rhythm of the heart.

If the arteries to the heart muscle become narrowed, the individual will probably start to suffer from chest pain on exertion. This is known as angina. If one or more of the coronary arteries suddenly blocks off, then part of the heart muscle is deprived of blood supply and the person typically experiences severe, crushing chest pain. This is a heart attack and needs immediate medical attention.

If there is a problem with the heart muscle itself it may not pump as well as it should. This is called heart failure and usually results in persistent breathlessness and a build up of fluid in the ankles and lungs. Finally, heart rhythm problems usually show themselves as palpitations or breathlessness on exertion. Anyone who thinks they may have heart problems should see their doctor but severe chest pain should prompt emergency attention.

If you want to love your heart so that it looks after you it is important not to smoke, to take regular exercise at least three times a week, to eat a healthy diet and to have your blood pressure checked at regular intervals.

When the heart goes wrong the consequences can be serious but if we look after it, the chances are it will look after you and allow you to live and love for very many years.

Article written by Dr. Martin Bell