The Heart & Circulation
To understand heart disease and its effects on your body, it may help to learn more about your heart. This booklet explains the structure of the heart and blood vessels and how they work. Words in bold are explained in a word list at the end of the resource.
Objectives: This information may help you:
- Identify the size and location of your heart.
- Identify the three layers of the heart.
- Identify the four chambers of your heart.
- Explain the purpose of the valves.
- Describe the three main kinds of blood vessels.
- Explain the role of coronary (heart) arteries in the functioning of your heart.
- Discuss the difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
- Trace the basic route of your heart’s electrical conduction system on the diagram provided.
