helping the heart ༊*·˚

Question 1

what is an artificial heart?

Answer 1

An artificial heart is an artificial organ device that replaces the heart. Artificial hearts are typically used to bridge the time to complete heart transplantation surgery, but research is ongoing to develop a device that could permanently replace the heart in the case that a heart transplant (from a deceased human or, experimentally, from a deceased genetically engineered pig) is unavailable or not viable. As of December 2023, there are two commercially available full artificial heart devices; in both cases, they are for temporary use, of less than a year, for total heart failure patients awaiting a human heart to be transplanted into their bodies.

Question 2

how can doctors help the heart?

Answer 2

Treatment often includes lifestyle changes and medicines. If another health condition is causing the heart to fail, treating it may reverse heart failure. Some people with heart failure need surgery to open blocked arteries or to place a device to help the heart work better.

Question 3

what is a leaky valve?

Answer 3

Valve regurgitation, incompetence or leaky valve means the valve does not close fully and the blood can leak back into the heart instead of forwards into the body.

Question 4

what is an artificial pacemaker?

Answer 4

An electronic device that is implanted in the body to monitor heart rate and rhythm. It gives the heart electrical stimulation when it does not beat normally. It runs on batteries and has long, thin wires that connect it to the heart. Also called cardiac pacemaker and pacemaker.

Question 5

what is a natural pacemaker?

Answer 5

The sinus node is sometimes called the heart’s “natural pacemaker.” Each time the sinus node generates a new electrical impulse; that impulse spreads out through the heart’s upper chambers, called the right atrium and the left atrium

Question 6

what is the resting heart rhythm of a healthy heart?

Answer 6

70 heartbeats per minute

Question 7

what will happen if the heartbeats too slowly?

Answer 7

the person affected will not get enough oxygen

Question 8

what will happen if the heartbeats too fast?

Answer 8

the person affected it cannot pump blood properly