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.