My heart

Vocabulary/new concepts:

Saturated fat – fat that is solid at room temperature, such as butter, cheese and other animal products.

Trans fats – fats that are formed by adding hydrogen to vegetable oils to make them harder and longer lasting. They are found in some baked goods, fried foods, margarine and other processed foods.
Saturated and trans fats raise levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood, which can build up in the walls of arteries and cause atherosclerosis, heart attack or stroke. They also reduce levels of good cholesterol (HDL), which helps remove excess cholesterol from the blood. It is therefore advisable to limitthe consumption of saturated and trans fats to less than 10% of total calorie intake.

Antioxidants – substances that prevent or slow the oxidative process in cells that can cause ageing, inflammation, cancer and other diseases.
Antioxidants have many health benefits, supporting the immune system, protecting against chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and dementia, improving the skin and eyes, and boosting energy and mood. Antioxidants are found in many foods, especially fruits and vegetables. Some of the most antioxidant-rich foods are red grapes, blueberries, green tea, chocolate, walnuts, and turmeric.

Omega-3 fatty acids – are among the fatty acids that are important for human health because they are involved in many body processes, such as building cells, hormones and energy
Omega-3 fatty acids are special because the body cannot produce them on its own and must get them from food or supplements. They have many health benefits, such as: supporting the heart and blood vessels by reducing blood pressure, cholesterol and the risk of heart attack or stroke; they support the brain and eyes by improving memory, concentration, mood and vision; they support the immune system and control inflammation in the body by protecting against infections, allergies and autoimmune diseases; they support the skin, hair and nails by making them healthier, smoother and shinier. They are found in fish and seafood, eggs, nuts and seeds (flaxseed), and vegetables (spinach, kale, tucenoise).

Cholesterol – a substance found in the blood and in the cells of the body. It is necessary for the construction of cell membranes, for the production of certain hormones and for the synthesis of vitamin D
Cholesterol is produced by the liver but is also taken in through food, especially animal products such as meat, milk, eggs and cheese. There are two main types of cholesterol: bad (LDL) and good (HDL). Bad cholesterol can build up in artery walls and cause atherosclerosis, heart attack or stroke. Good cholesterol helps remove excess cholesterol from the blood and protects against heart disease.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) – An electrocardiogram, or ECG, is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart. It can be compared to a “movie” about the heart that shows how it works. To do an ECG, doctors put small patches on your chest and arms that are connected to a machine. This machine records the electrical signals your heart sends and shows them as a line on a paper or screen. This test helps doctors see if your heart is working normally.

Bypass – Bypass surgery is an operation in which doctors make a “bypass” around blocked blood vessels in the heart. It can be compared to a highway repair. When there is a traffic jam on one part of the highway, the construction workers make a new path around the traffic jam so cars can pass without problems. Similarly, doctors use healthy blood vessels from another part of the body to make a new path for the blood around the clogged spot in the heart.

Angioplasty – a procedure in which doctors use a small balloon to dilate narrowed blood vessels in the heart. We imagine that the blood vessels are like pipes through which water flows. If the tubes become blocked, the water cannot flow well. Doctors put a small balloon in the clogged part of the tube and inflate it to widen the tube and allow the blood to flow better. Sometimes, to keep the tube open, doctors also put in a small metal mesh called a stent.

Our heart is like a superhero that never sleeps and is always working to keep us alive and healthy.

Did you know that your heart pumps so much blood during the day that it can fill an entire swimming pool in a year? Imagine a swimming pool full of blood pumped by your heart alone! That’s pretty impressive, isn’t it?

The heart continues to be a hero even after one dies. You may have heard that a heart can be donated to another person who needs a new heart. This is an extremely important and humane act that can save a life.

Did you know that a heart can beat even after a person has died? Yes, the heart can continue to beat for a short time after death. This is very important because it enables doctors to take it and transplant it to another person who needs a new heart. Time matters: after a person dies, the heart should be transplanted within about 4 to 6 hours. Doctors work very quickly and carefully to ensure a healthy, well-functioning heart for its new owner.

What is a transplant?

A transplant is a surgical procedure in which an organ such as the heart is taken from one person (the donor) and transplanted into another person (the patient) who needs a new organ. The donor is usually a person who has died, but their organs can still help other people live.

Why is it important to donate organs?

• Saving lives: organ donation can save the lives of people who would otherwise not survive.
• Showing humanity and compassion: It is one of the greatest acts of humanity and compassion because we help others most amazingly by relieving their suffering and giving them a chance to lead an active and fulfilling life.
• Philanthropy contributes to society: When we donate organs, we continue to live through others and our heart continues to beat and do good. The process of organ donation is safe and strictly regulated.

Imagine that one day you can save someone just by deciding to donate your heart or other organs when you no longer need them. It’s like being a superhero who helps others even after death.

My Heart

You’ll learn more about this amazing organ – how it works, what makes it so important and how we can keep it healthy. You’ll also look at what problems can occur if we don’t look after it.

Ready to dive into the world of the heart and discover its secrets? Let’s get started!

The heart is a muscle in the chest that pumps blood throughout the body. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to all the cells and tissues that are necessary for life. The heart is one of the most vital organs in the human body and we keep it healthy and strong.

Source: https://depositphotos.com/photo/human-heart-anatomy-8627268.html

Source: https://depositphotos.com/photo/human-heart-circulation-8853824.html

Unfortunately, many diseases can damage the heart or disrupt its normal functioning. Some of these are congenital, which means they occur at birth, and others are acquired, which means they develop later in life. Some of the most common heart diseases are:

• Heart failure – this is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood for the body’s needs. This can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling and other problems.
• Heart attack – this is a deadly disease in which part of the heart muscle dies due to lack of oxygen. This can be caused by a blockage in the artery that supplies blood to the heart. Some of the symptoms of a heart attack are chest, shoulder or arm pain, sweating, nausea and weakness.
• Aneurysm – this is a protrusion or enlargement of the wall of an artery or vein. This can cause the blood vessels to rupture and bleed. Aneurysms can occur in different parts of the body, including the brain, lungs or stomach.
• Atherosclerosis – this is a disease in which the walls of the arteries become harder and narrower due to a build-up of fat, cholesterol and other substances. This can reduce blood flow to various organs and cause problems such as angina pectoris, stroke or peripheral arterial disease.

These and other heart conditions can have serious consequences for the health and quality of life of people who have them.

It is therefore very useful to study these diseases to understand what causes them, how to prevent or treat them and how to support people who suffer from them. Cardiovascular disease must be detected as early as possible so that treatment with counselling and medication can begin. Studying heart disease helps us to learn about the wonderful and complex world of the human body, develop scientific skills and interests, stimulate creativity and innovation, and increase our social and emotional competencies.