Your heart is one of the most vital organs in your body, working tirelessly every second of your life. Understanding how it functions and how to keep it healthy can add years to your life.

How Your Heart Works

The heart is a muscular pump roughly the size of your fist. It pumps blood through a complex network of arteries and veins, delivering oxygen and nutrients to every cell in your body. In an average lifetime, the heart beats more than 2.5 billion times.

Risk Factors for Heart Disease

Several factors can increase your risk of developing heart disease:

High blood pressure - Often called the "silent killer" because it rarely shows symptoms
High cholesterol - Excess LDL cholesterol can build up in artery walls
Smoking - Damages blood vessels and raises blood pressure
Diabetes - High blood sugar damages blood vessels over time
Obesity - Extra weight strains the heart and contributes to other risk factors

Protecting Your Heart

The good news is that up to 80% of heart disease cases may be preventable through lifestyle changes. Regular exercise, a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight are the cornerstones of cardiovascular health.

When to See a Doctor

See a doctor immediately if you experience chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, pain radiating to your arm or jaw, sudden dizziness, or unusually rapid heartbeat. These can be signs of a heart attack or other serious cardiac event.