cool facts about the heart
1. The average adult human heart beats around 100,000 times a day, pumping about 2,000 gallons of blood through the body.
2. The heart is about the size of a fist and weighs around 8-10 ounces.
3. Despite popular belief, the heart actually lies slightly left of the center of the chest.
4. The heart has its own electrical system that controls the rhythm of the heartbeat, and can continue to beat even when disconnected from the body.
5. The heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to the body through arteries, and returns oxygen-depleted blood to the lungs through veins.
6. The heart has four chambers: the left and right atria (top chambers) and the left and right ventricles (bottom chambers).
7. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women worldwide, with factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking increasing the risk.
8. The heart can actually change shape and size depending on a person's physical fitness level and overall health.
9. A broken heart is a legitimate medical condition known as "broken heart syndrome" or stress-induced cardiomyopathy, where emotional stress can cause the heart to temporarily weaken.
10. The heart is crucial for life, as it supplies the body with the essential nutrients and oxygen needed for survival.