HEART HEALTH &
HAPPINESS
Part 1
by Lady Carla Davis, MPH
Specializing in Nutrition
There is so much more to the human heart than what most people know; and if they are knowledgeable, they rarely think about the function, care, and needs of this amazing organ. In spite of the fact that heart disease kills more people than any other disease in the developed world, care and nourishment of the human heart is rarely taught in primary or secondary education. Sadly, nor is it taught to children by most parents. To create heart health and happiness, a basic lesson (or reminder) on the anatomy and function of this awesome organ is a good place to start.
The human heart is both a muscle and living, dynamic community of millions of hard working cells. It is located in the middle of the upper chest, between the lungs, unless you are among a small percent of people who have dextrocardia, where the heart is slightly more to the right side of the chest.
The heart has four chambers: two upper, called the atria and two lower, called the ventricles. The right atrium and right ventricle make up the “right heart” and the left atrium and left ventricle make up the “left heart.” The two sides of the heart are separated by a wall of muscle called the septum.
The atria and the ventricles are connected by the atrioventricular (AV) valves (tricuspid valve and mitral valve). The right ventricle is separated from the pulmonary artery by
pulmonary semi-lunar vale. The left ventricle is separated from the aorta by the aortic valve. The heart strings or chordae tendinae, anchor the valves to the heart muscles.
The sinoatrial node or sinus node produces the electrical pulses that drive the heart contractions. The sinus node, situated in the right atrium, is a natural pacemaker. It normally controls the heart rhythm by producing electrical impulses that initiate each heartbeat. Electrical impulses travel across the atria causing them to contract and pump blood into the ventricles. Then, these impulses arrive at a cluster of cells called the atrioventricular node (AVN). The AVN transmits the signals to a collection of cells called the bundle of HIS. These cells transmit the signal down a left branch serving the left ventricle and a right branch serving the right ventricle, which cause the ventricles to contract and pump blood. The right ventricle sends oxygen-poor blood to the lungs and the left ventricle sends oxygen-rich blood to the body.
Keep in mind that water is the medium that enables cells to communicate with each other. All the more reason why the water we drink must be kept pure, structured, and free of all chemicals and pollutants.
In addition, a good daily supply of natural daylight, sunshine, quality protein, essential fatty acids in balance (omega 3 in particular), and the right balance of various minerals keep this electrical system functioning.
The heart is encased and protected by a doubled-walled sac called the pericardium.
The outer layer, called parietal pericardium, and the inner layer, called the serous pericardium, hold the pericardial fluid, which lubricates the heart during contractions and movements of the lungs and diaphragm.