Patient Information
Anatomy
The heart, a hollow organ is constructed of a tough muscular wall. It is the size of a clinched fist and weighs less than a pound. The heart has four chambers. The right and left atrium (top portions) and the right and left ventricles (lower portions).
As the blood leaves the left ventricles it goes through the aortic valve and into the Aorta (largest artery in the body). The Aorta supplies oxygen rich blood to all parts of the body. After supplying the body with oxygen rich blood. It returns through the inferior and superior vena cava and empties into the right atrium. When the right atrium contracts it pushed blood through tricuspid valve into the resting right ventricle.
As the right ventricle contracts it pushes blood through the pulmonary valve and up into the pulmonary arteries which lead into the lungs. Once blood picks up oxygen it heads through the pulmonary veins and into the left atrium. As the left atrium contracts it pushes oxygenated blood through the mitral valve and back into the left ventricle. The process then starts all over.
Helpful Links
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute - This government site will lead you to general information about cholesterol, high blood pressure, women and heart disease, cardiomyopathy and many other interesting facts.
- MedlinePlus - National Library of Medicine sponsered site. The listing consist of conditions, diagnostic and treatments options. They also have dictionaries and drug information web page.
- American Heart Association
- American College of Cardiology - Access the college's home page for details on educational programs, publications, and clinical information.
- Vascular Disease Foundation - General inoformation about important procedure that deal with vascular disease. Infomation on Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms, Peripheral vascular disease, Stroke, carotid artery disease and other venous diseases.
Houston Area
- Houston Harris County Health Information - Information about Houston area. Listing of Institutions, Government, Associations, and referral services. Listing also includes the Texas Medical Center areaInformation about Houston area. Listing of Institutions, Government, Associations, and referral services. Listing also includes the Texas Medical Center area
- Texas Medical Center - Visitor informaiton about parking, housing, hospital in the medical center.
- Texas Heart Institute - Up to date information on the prevention, detection and prevention of heart disease.