The heart is the organ that supplies blood and oxygen to all parts of the body. The heart is located in the chest cavity just posterior to the breastbone, between the lungs and superior to the diaphragm. The heart is surrounded by a fluid filled sac called the pericardium. Blood is pumped away from the heart through arteries and returns to the heart through veins.
The heart is divided into two halves. The halves are then divided into chambers. The upper two chambers of the heart are called atria (pl.) /atrium (sing.) and the lower two chambers are called ventricles. These chambers are then split into left and right atrium/ventricle. The atria receive blood returning to the heart from the body and the ventricles pump blood from the heart to the body. Valves allow blood to flow in one direction between the chambers of the heart.
Heart Disease
Certain things increase a person's chances of getting cardiovascular/heart disease. Doctors call these things risk factors
Some of these risk factors a person can't do anything about, for instance being older and having other people in the family who have had the same problems. But people do have control over some risk factors such as smoking, having high blood pressure, being overweight, and not exercising can increase the risk of getting cardiovascular disease.
How they can lead to a healthier lifestyle? Eat a balanced diet because too much fat and butter can cause high cholesterol. Maintain a healthy weight because too much fat can clog up your arteries, also the person will have high blood pressure. Exercise regularly to stay healthy and not to get overweight Don’t smoke as it increases risk of heart attacks Limit alcohol use also causes heart problems.
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