Arteries. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to all of the body’s tissues.

Systemic arteries transport oxygenated blood from the left ventricle of the heart to the rest of the body. Veins. The pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart. Systemic veins carry low-oxygen blood from the body to the right atrium of the heart.

Systemic circulation carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle, through the arteries, to the capillaries in the tissues of the body. From the tissue capillaries, the deoxygenated blood returns through a system of veins to the right atrium of the heart.

The largest vein in the human body is the inferior vena cava, which carries deoxygenated blood from the lower half of the body back up to the heart.

arteries

Arterioles carry blood and oxygen into the smallest blood vessels, the capillaries. Capillaries are so small they can only be seen under a microscope.

Capillaries connect the arteries to veins. The arteries deliver the oxygen-rich blood to the capillaries, where the actual exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs. The capillaries then deliver the waste-rich blood to the veins for transport back to the lungs and heart. Veins carry the blood back to the heart.

The aorta is the largest artery in the body. The aorta begins at the top of the left ventricle, the heart’s muscular pumping chamber. The heart pumps blood from the left ventricle into the aorta through the aortic valve.

A wall of muscle called the septum separates the left and right atria and the left and right ventricles. These are referred to as the atrial and ventricular septum.

A large part of each lung lies behind the heart. The lung extends from the ribs in front, to the ribs behind, and from the dome of the pleural cavity, down to the diaphragm. With each breath in, and each breath out there’s an increase and a decrease in the volume of the lungs.

The right ventricle pumps the oxygen-poor blood to the lungs through the pulmonary valve. The left atrium receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and pumps it to the left ventricle through the mitral valve. The left ventricle pumps the oxygen-rich blood through the aortic valve out to the rest of the body.

Blood first enters the heart’s right atrium. A muscle contraction forces the blood through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle. When the right ventricle contracts, blood is forced through the pulmonary semilunar valve into the pulmonary artery. Then it travels to the lungs.

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Normal heart rates at rest: Children (ages 6 – 15) 70 – 100 beats per minute. Adults (age 18 and over) 60 – 100 beats per minute.

The heartbeat happens as follows:

1. The SA node (called the pacemaker of the heart) sends out an electrical impulse.
2. The upper heart chambers (atria) contract.
3. The AV node sends an impulse into the ventricles.
4. The lower heart chambers (ventricles) contract or pump.

Your brain and other parts of your body send signals to stimulate your heart to beat either at a faster or a slower rate.

7 powerful ways you can strengthen your heart

1. Get moving. Your heart is a muscle and, as with any muscle, exercise is what strengthens it.
2. Quit smoking. Quitting smoking is tough.
3. Lose weight. Losing weight is more than just diet and exercise.
4. Eat heart-healthy foods.
5. Don’t forget the chocolate.
6. Don’t overeat.
7. Don’t stress.
8. Related Stories.

A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Generally, a lower heart rate at rest implies more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular fitness.

The 3 minutes step test indicates a person’s cardiovascular fitness. The cardiovascular fitness level is indicated by the heart rate measured for one minute after the completion of the three minutes of stepping. The step test is performed using a 30 cm high bench.

Exercise: The easiest and most effective way to achieve a lasting lower heart rate is to do regular exercise. 2. Stay hydrated: When the body is dehydrated, the heart has to work harder to stabilize blood flow. Throughout the day, drink plenty of sugar- and caffeine-free beverages, such as water and herbal tea.

Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries are jam-packed with important nutrients that play a central role in heart health. Berries are also rich in antioxidants like anthocyanins, which protect against the oxidative stress and inflammation that contribute to the development of heart disease ( 12 ).

Potassium can help regulate your heart rate and can reduce the effect that sodium has on your blood pressure. Foods like bananas, melons, oranges, apricots, avocados, dairy, leafy green vegetables, tomatoes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tuna, salmon, beans, nuts, and seeds have lots of potassium.