Your heart is a vital organ. The functions of the heart are to:
The heart consists of four chambers which are connected by valves. Valves direct the flow of blood to big blood vessels. Blood travels in these blood vessels to deliver oxygen all around the body. Blood vessels also carry blood back to the lungs to remove waste and to put more oxygen in the blood.
The heart also has its own blood supply. Coronary arteries supply blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. When the coronary arteries become blocked, oxygen can’t reach the heart muscle. This can cause chest pain (angina) or a heart attack.
Click on the dots in the pictures below.
The picture on the left shows the coronary arteries which wrap around and into the heart muscle.
The picture on the right shows the inside of the heart. You can see the four chambers, heart valves and major blood vessels.
Last updated15 January 2024