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How is the heart designed?

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Your heart is a muscular organ, roughly the size of your fist. It works as a pump to push blood through your arteries with enough force for blood to reach all parts of your body. It is small organ for the big and important job is must do.

The heart’s structure is what enables it to function as such an efficient pump. The heart is divided into four chambers, the upper left and right atria and the lower left and right ventricles. A thick wall called the septum separates the left side of the heart from the right side. Valves separate the atria from the ventricles. These valves carefully regulate blood flow through the chambers by acting as one-way doors within the heart. The walls of the heart and the valves keep the blood on a "one-way street" through the heart and out to the body and back. If any part of the heart’s structure, such as the valves, is not working correctly, the ability of the heart to perform its job will be impaired.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.