Know Your Heart
Understanding your heart is the first step toward protecting it. On this page, you’ll find the basics of heart anatomy, explore different types of heart disease, and get prevention tips. Make sure to check out the Know Your Numbers sheet, and test your knowledge with some fun heart trivia!
Heart Anatomy
Right Atrium
Receives oxygen-poor blood from the body through two large veins—the superior vena cava (from the upper body) and the inferior vena cava (from the lower body). It then sends this blood to the right ventricle.
Right Ventricle
Pumps the oxygen-poor blood to the lungs through the pulmonary artery, where it picks up oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.
Left Atrium
Receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and sends it to the left ventricle.
Left Ventricle
Pumps oxygen-rich blood out to the entire body through the aorta, the body’s largest artery. This chamber is the heart’s strongest pump.
Aorta
Carries oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body.
Superior Vena Cava
Returns oxygen-poor blood from the head, neck, and upper body to the right atrium.
Inferior Vena Cava
Returns oxygen-poor blood from the lower body (legs, abdomen, and pelvis) to the right atrium.
Valves (Tricuspid, Pulmonary, Mitral, Aortic)
Act like one-way gates to keep blood flowing in the right direction and prevent backflow.
Types of Heart Disease
Aortic Dissection
Aortic dissection involves a tear in the aorta’s inner wall, letting blood flow between layers. This causes sudden, severe chest or back pain and can be life-threatening. Immediate medical attention is crucial to prevent rupture and downstream organ damage.
Aortic Stenosis
Aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve narrows, restricting blood flow from the heart into the aorta. Symptoms include chest pain, fatigue, and fainting, especially during exertion. It may lead to heart failure if left untreated.
Arrhythmias
Arrhythmias are irregular heart rhythms that can cause the heart to beat too quickly (tachycardia), too slowly (bradycardia), or erratically. Symptoms include palpitations (feeling of skipped heartbeats), chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
Atrial Septal Defects (ASD)
ASD is a congenital condition where an opening in the septum between the atria allows oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood to mix. Symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations. Smaller defects may close on their own, while larger ones often require repair.
Cholesterol Issues
High cholesterol, particularly elevated LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, can lead to plaque buildup in arteries, increasing the risk of coronary artery disease and stroke. Managing diet, exercise, and medications can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is blocked, usually by a clot in a coronary artery. Symptoms include sudden chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea or lightheadedness, and disorientation. This results in the death of heart muscle cells and can be life-threatening.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
HCM is a genetic condition where the heart muscle, especially the left ventricle, thickens abnormally. This can disrupt normal blood flow and heart rhythm, causing chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, or fainting, especially during exertion.
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
AFib is an irregular, often rapid heartbeat caused by chaotic electrical signals in the atria. Symptoms include fluttering or pounding heartbeats, fatigue, and shortness of breath. It increases the risk of stroke and often requires treatment to control the rate.
Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)
CHD refers to a group of structural heart abnormalities present at birth, such as septal defects or valve malformations. They can range from mild (requiring monitoring) to severe (requiring surgery). Early detection and lifelong management are critical.
Heart Failure
Heart failure happens when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. It can develop gradually or suddenly, causing symptoms like fatigue, swelling, shortness of breath, and fluid retention. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
PAD occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries outside the heart, usually those serving the legs, reducing blood flow. Symptoms include leg pain during walking, numbness, or slow healing of wounds. PAD increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy refers to diseases of the heart muscle that weaken the heart’s pumping ability. Common types include dilated, restrictive, and hypertrophic. Symptoms may include fatigue, swelling, breathlessness, and chest discomfort.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
CAD occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood to the heart, leading to restricted blood flow and potentially causing chest pain (angina) or a heart attack. Symptoms include angina, shortness of breath, fatigue, and heart attack symptoms.
Hypertension
Hypertension is elevated pressure in the arteries. It often has no noticeable symptoms but can damage blood vessels and organs over time. Controlling blood pressure through diet, exercise, and medication is key to preventing heart attacks and strokes.
Stroke
Stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked (ischemic stroke) or an artery in the brain bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). Symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, vision problems, or a severe headache without a clear cause.
Lifestyle Medicine: General Prevention Strategies
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Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Nutrition: Eat a heart-healthy diet centered around fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean proteins (like fish or poultry), nuts, and low-fat dairy. Limit saturated and trans fats, added sugars, salt (sodium), and highly processed foods. Focus on balanced meals that provide fiber, antioxidants, and essential nutrients.
Physical Activity: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (such as brisk walking, biking, or dancing) or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise (like running, swimming, or fast cycling) each week. Include strength-training exercises at least two days per week to support muscle and heart health.
Sleep: Prioritize 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep each night. Poor sleep is linked to high blood pressure, obesity, and an increased risk of heart disease. Maintain a regular sleep schedule and create a restful environment to improve sleep quality.
Mental Health: Chronic stress, anxiety, and depression can negatively affect heart health. Practice stress management techniques such as mindfulness, deep breathing, journaling, or yoga. Don’t hesitate to seek support from a mental health professional when needed. Staying socially connected and engaging in activities you enjoy can also help boost emotional well-being.
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Risk Factor Management
Smoking: Quitting smoking is one of the most powerful steps you can take to protect your heart. Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke, which also contributes to cardiovascular disease. Support groups, counseling, and medication can increase your chances of quitting successfully.
Blood Pressure: High blood pressure (hypertension) often has no symptoms but can lead to serious complications if untreated. Monitor your blood pressure regularly, reduce sodium intake, stay physically active, manage stress, and take prescribed medications if needed.
Cholesterol: High levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries. Maintain healthy cholesterol levels through a diet low in saturated fats, regular exercise, weight management, and medication if advised by your healthcare provider.
Knowing your numbers (e.g., blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, body mass index) is a key part of understanding your heart health. These numbers can reveal early warning signs of heart disease, often before symptoms appear. Tracking them regularly helps you and your healthcare provider make informed decisions and catch potential problems early, when they’re easier to manage.
