“…let us not [only] love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18                    

     February is celebrated as American Heart month. We also celebrate Valentine’s Day during February.  And during this month we celebrate LOVE and MATTERS OF THE HEART. 

     The heart is an amazing organ composed of four chambers; the two upper are atrium, the lower ventricle. Blood comes to the heart from the large vessel the vena cava, traveling through the right atrium, --- valve, right ventricle, pulmonary artery to the lung for oxygenation, returning through the pulmonary vein to the left atrium ----- valve to the left ventricle and then out through to aorta to supply the body.  As your heart pumps blood, four valves open and close (like doors) to make sure the blood flows in the correct direction.  The sounds they make create the sound of the heartbeat (lub-dub}.  A heart murmur is often the first sign of a heart valve problem.  A valve can become damaged and need to be replaced with bovine(cow) or porcine (pig) or artificial valve.  

     The beating of the heart is controlled by an electrical system where beats originate in the SA node (right atrium) travel to the AV node in the septum between the right and left sides and upper and lower chambers to the ventricles.  Any cardiac cell can start a beat, but the SA node is the controller.  If the SA node loses its control, beats can become disorganized and chaotic (fibrillation).  When this happens, you feel short of breath, perhaps dizzy, and many individuals feel like their heart is pounding. This disorder called atrial fibrillation can be treated with medications or shock (cardioversion).   When the ventricular beats become chaotic (ventricular fibrillation of v-fib) the function of the heart rapidly drops and can become lethal if defibrillation with an AED (automatic external defibrillator) does not occur. 

     The heart muscle is “fed” by the coronary arteries on the outside of the heart muscle. These arteries can become stiff and blocked with plaque (a build up of fats and calcium).  If the individual is having shortness of breath or chest pain and the blockage is greater than 70% the cardiologist may perform a cardiac catheterization and angioplasty.  The arteries of the heart are accesses by a long catheter inserted in the wrist or groin.   The catheter is used to instill dye to examine the arteries.  If necessary, a stent (not stint) which is a coil or mess like cylinder to put a ‘crack’ in the plaque and open the artery.  If this is not possible open heart or bypass surgery can be done using arteries from the person’s arm or leg. 

     A heart attack occurs when an artery is blocked, and an area of the heart muscle is not getting adequate blood supply.  In younger individuals the heart may be able to grow new vessels to feed the muscle, especially if the blockage has occurred slowly.  A heart attack can also occur when the heart rhythm is disrupted by a blow to the chest.   

     Take care of your heart- exercise, health eating of lean meats, fruits and vegetables, reduce the stress in your life.  Take care of your loved ones’ hearts and the hearts of your neighbors and family by learning CPR and how to use the AED.   Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. 

Parish Nurse, 

Carolyn D. Pauling PhD RN