Your Heart: The Incredible Engine

Your heart is a strong muscle about the size of your fist. It has four chambers: two upper chambers called atria and two lower chambers called ventricles. The right side of the heart sends blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen. The left side pumps oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. Heart valves act like one-way doors to keep blood moving in the right direction.

‍

Each heartbeat begins with an electrical signal that tells the heart when to squeeze and when to relax. This steady rhythm helps deliver oxygen and nutrients throughout your body.

‍

Healthy habits help protect your heart. Stay active, choose heart-healthy foods, avoid smoking, get good sleep, manage stress, and keep track of your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. Call 911 right away for chest pressure, shortness of breath, fainting, or pain that spreads to the arm, jaw, or back.

‍

Learning how your heart works is the first step toward keeping it healthy.