What Does the Heart Do?

The human heart is way more amazing than you think. Approximately the size of your two hands clasped together, your heart is relatively small but mighty. During an average lifetime it pumps around 1 million barrels of blood (enough to fill more than 3 super tankers). It beats about 100,000 times a day. Meaning in the average lifetime, the human heart will beat more than 2.5 billion times.

The Circulatory System

Your heart has a lot of help to make it work efficiently. It begins by pumping blood through the arteries and to your lungs. Inside the lungs is where the blood gets fresh oxygen before traveling back to the heart through your veins. Pretty amazing how it all comes together to keep you moving strong.

What Is A Heart Attack?

You may not like to think about it, but it’s also important to be able to recognize a heart attack, which is what happens when a part of the heart muscle isn’t getting enough blood flow. Symptoms vary by individual; common ones include:

• Chest discomfort
• Upper body discomfort (including discomfort in the arms, jaw, neck and back)
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating and nausea
• Light-headedness

In the case of a heart attack make sure you seek immediate treatment. The longer you wait, the more damage to the heart muscle can occur. If you think you are having a heart attack, call 911 then crush or chew two ASPIRIN®81 mg tablets – it could save your life. ASPIRIN 81mg is approved in Canada for emergency use during a heart attack. If you have questions about your heart, talk to a doctor or trusted health care professional.

Free Heart Coloring Sheets

To learn a little more during February’s heart month, we’ve included an anatomically correct heart and circulatory system printable to color. Download it here.

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