FEBRUARY – AMERICAN HEART MONTH

James McMahon MD, FACC

Anatomy of the Heart

The heart is made up of four Chambers that pump blood to the lungs for oxygen and then to the rest of the body. These are called the right and left atriums and the right and left ventricles.

The heart works with its partner the lungs in order to pump blood to all parts of our body to keep us moving and thinking. It is an intricate plumbing system made up of arteries and veins. Arteries carry oxygen rich blood from the heart to the body and veins carry blood to the lungs to get oxygen.

Your heart is an incredible machine !!! Doctors use a tool called a stethoscope to listen to it beating and pumping blood. Doctors also use a blood pressure cuff to measure your blood pressure in your internal plumbing!

How do we keep our heart healthy?• Eat heart healthy foods• Decrease sodium intake• Do not smoke• Exercise• Visit your doctor regularly • Maintain a healthy weight

EKG – is a test to see the electrical impulses of the heart and be sure it is pumping correctly

What happens if you don’t take care of your heart?

What does a healthy diet look like?

Remember food is fuel for your body!

What can you do? Eat Well, Get Moving, Lower Salt, and Don’t Ever Think About Smoking!

American Heart Association website at http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/HealthierKids/Healthier-Kids_UCM_304156_SubHomePage.jsp Is an excellent source if you have more questions or want to learn more!