How does the heart pump blood?

The heart pumps blood through contractions and relaxations of its four chambers, which circulate blood around the body.

The heart is a muscular organ that functions as a pump for the circulatory system. It has four chambers: two atria (the left and right atrium) and two ventricles (the left and right ventricle). The process of blood circulation begins when the heart relaxes between beats and blood flows from the body into the right atrium.

The right atrium contracts, pushing the blood into the right ventricle. The right ventricle then contracts, sending the blood to the lungs via the pulmonary artery. This is known as pulmonary circulation. In the lungs, the blood releases carbon dioxide and absorbs oxygen. The oxygenated blood then returns to the heart, entering the left atrium.

The left atrium contracts, pushing the blood into the left ventricle. The left ventricle then contracts, sending the oxygenated blood out to the body through the aorta, the largest artery in the body. This is known as systemic circulation. The blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues and organs, and picks up waste products, including carbon dioxide.

This process repeats with each heartbeat, typically around 60 to 100 times a minute in a resting adult. The contractions and relaxations of the heart are coordinated by electrical signals within the heart's muscle, ensuring that the four chambers work together effectively to pump blood around the body.

The heart's ability to pump blood efficiently is crucial for maintaining life. It ensures that all parts of the body receive the oxygen and nutrients they need to function, and that waste products are removed. This is why maintaining heart health is so important.