25 Interesting Facts About Heart

When I was driving for some work a slogan on Al Noor Hospital regarding heart caught my attention. The slogan was “Play your part and take care of your Heart”. This was such a subtle reminder that not only we should be taking care of our hearts but should also of our loved ones as well.

During my first appointment with the best cardiac surgeon in Lahore, my doctor shared some heart-related facts with me. But, the alarming fact that cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death worldwide made me co. This fact makes it more important that why you should be taking care of your heart.

Now, before we move to fun, quirky and interesting facts about the heart.

 Let me give you a brief overview of the heart.

The heart is such a miracle organ I would say. Not only, it supplies blood to the whole body, but it beats about 1, 15,000 times in a day to provide oxygenated blood to the whole body. In fact, the heart of females beats faster than males. Interestingly the size of our heart is equal to the closed wrist of an individual. 

If you are as curious as me, this article is for you, so don’t skip it. 

Now let’s get started with the fun facts.

1. Heart cancer is rare. This is due to the fact that the cells of your heart stop growing at an early age so mutations in the cells of the heart are rare. However, other types of cancer or medications of chemotherapy can damage your heart.
2. Your brain does not regulate your heart. So, your heart can beat on its own even if it is separated from your body.
3. Your heart supplies blood to the whole body except the cornea of your eyes. Corneas are the only part of your body that does not have any blood vessels.
4. Your heart does not stop while you sneeze. Yes, you have read it right. It is an old myth and has nothing to do with the stopping of the heart. Your heart simply decreases the blood flow when you sneeze and adjust the beating of the heart.
5. Music can alter your heartbeat. Interesting. Right?! Well, studies have shown that your heart beats faster when you listen to music that is fast-paced. While the heartbeat decreases when listening to slow-paced music.
6. The blood that your heart supply daily in your whole body roughly equals to 2,000 gallons.
7. The heart has a cardiac conduction system. It is basically the electrical system in your heart and it controls your heart rhythm.
8. In 1958, the first open-heart surgery was conducted. It was performed in the USA by the first few black cardiologists, Daniel Hale Williams at that time.
9. The implantable pacemaker for the first time was used in 1958. Interestingly the patient who received the transplant named Arne Larsson lived longer than the surgeon who had conducted this procedure. The patient died at 86 years of age from a disease that was not related to the heart or his pacemaker.
10. The first case of heart disease reported dates back to ancient times and it was discovered in an Egyptian mummy that was 3,500 years old. 
11. The youngest patient of heart to receive heart surgery was only a minute old when she had undergone the surgery. She was born with such heart disease from which babies don’t survive. It was successful heart surgery.
12. Fairy fly is a wasp. It is the smallest living creature on the earth that has a heart.
13. The smallest mammal is American pygmy. Its heartbeat at a fast rate which is 1,200 beats in a minute.
14. The largest mammals to have heart are Whales.
15. In a year, the most common heart attacks occur during Christmas.
16. The most common day to suffer from a heart attack is Monday.
17. The lopsided heart is present in a giraffe. 
18. The weight of a human heart is less than a pound. Men’s heart is heavier than the female.
19. A broken heart is an actual syndrome in medical science as well. Both heart attack and a broken heart have the same symptoms. The only difference is that heart diseases lead to a heart attack while in case of broken heart syndrome is caused by stress.
20. It is rare to die from broken heart syndrome but it is possible.
21. The blood vessel system would be extended over 60,000 miles if we stretch it.
22. Heart symbol that we actually use to represent love is actually originated from a plant. The plant is known as “silphium plant” and it was used in old-time as one of the ingredients in medicine for the birth control.
23.  Heart of a woman beats faster than a man.
24. Heart disease is a leading global health threat. It is more dangerous than a man suffering from prostate cancer or a woman from breast cancer.
25. Smiling and laughing not only make you look attractive. But, it is also quite helpful in boosting your immune system.

So, you see, how unique your heart is. Quite Interesting. Right?! The facts proved it as well also, it can perform interesting things and keep you alive!