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11 Surprising Facts About the Human Heart

11 Surprising Facts About the Human Heart

As we know, February is American Heart Month, and today on our blog, we have some surprising and fascinating facts about the human heart. We know it's a vital organ in our bodies, but what else does it do? What makes it so unique? Let's find out below!

11 Surprising & Interesting Facts About the Human Heart

1. The Size

If you want to know the size of your heart, hold out your hand and make a fist. If you're an adult, your heart is about the same size as two fists. If you're a child, your heart is amount the same size as one fist. 

2. Heartbeat

Your heart beats approximately 100,000 times in one day! In an average lifetime, the human heart will beat more than 2.5 BILLION times!

3. Heart Pumps

Your heart pumps about 1 million barrels of blood during an average lifetime. That is enough to fill more than 3 super tanks!

4. Amount of Blood

Did you know that a kitchen faucet would need to be turned on all the way for at least 45 years to equal the amount of blood pumped by the heart in an average lifetime?

5. Electrical Impulses

Because the heart has its very own electrical impulse, it can continue to beat even when it is separated from the body, as long as it has an adequate supply of oxygen.

6. Blood Supply

The heart pumps blood to almost all of the body's 75 trillion cells. Only the corneas receive no blood supply.

7. The Sound of the Heart

Did you ever wonder where the "thumping" sound comes from in your heartbeat? The thumping of a heartbeat is the sound made by the 4 valves of the heart closing.

8. The Hardest Working Muscle

The heart does the most physical work out of any muscle in the body during a lifetime. The power output of the heart ranges from 1-5 watts. While the quadriceps can produce 100 watts for a few minutes, an output of 1 watt for 80 years is equal to 2.5 gigajoules.

9. The Beginning

The heart begins to beat at 4 weeks after conception, therefore, confirming the fact that a baby is indeed a human before birth.

10. Women vs. Men

A woman's heart typically beats faster than a man's. The heart of an average male beats approximately 70 times a minute, whereas the average female has a heart rate of 78 beats per minute.

11. Blood is Actually a Tissue

When the body is at rest, it takes only 6 seconds for the blood to go from the heart to the lungs and back, only 8 seconds for it to go to the brain and back, and only 16 seconds for it to reach the toes and travel all the way back to the heart.

So, there you have it! 11 unknown facts about the human heart and all of the amazing things it accomplishes! That is why it is so important to make those heart-healthy choices now. Focus on eating a diet of whole, unprocessed foods. Exercise regularly, manage your stress, optimize your vitamin D levels, and get enough of high quality animal based omega 3 fats!

Your heart works hard for you, give it some tender loving care back and take action to prevent heart disease!

Be sure to speak with a doctor or other qualified health care professional before beginning any health regimen, or taking any supplements or medication. 

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