Human heart

The human heart is a vital organ that pumps blood through the body. You probably don't even think about it, but your heart is always working — it beats about 100,000 times a day, which adds up to about 3 billion beats over an average lifetime. Here's the latest science news about your ticker.
Latest about Heart & Circulation

In rare case, man develops painful deep vein blood clots following brown recluse spider bite
By Nicoletta Lanese published
A man in Michigan developed deep vein thrombosis after reportedly being bitten by a brown recluse spider.

What happens during a heart attack?
By Anna Gora published
A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, happens when oxygen-rich blood does not reach a part of the heart muscle.

Coronary artery disease (CAD): Causes, diagnosis and treatment
By Dr. David Warmflash published
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is caused by plaque buildup in the wall of arteries that supply blood to the heart.

What is normal blood pressure?
By Anna Gora, Bahar Gholipour last updated
Here's what doctors consider a "normal," elevated or high blood pressure, and how to measure your BP at home.

Beating 'hearts on a chip' will travel to space on SpaceX's Dragon cargo ship tonight
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Tissue-based models of the human heart are being sent to the International Space Station.

Artificial sweetener may increase risk of heart attack and stroke, study finds
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
Erythritol, a sugar substitute, may be linked to an elevated risk of heart attack and stroke in at-risk adults.

Stroke: Symptoms, tests and treatment
By Elizabeth Peterson last updated
Stroke is the second leading cause of disability and death worldwide, and occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is disrupted.

Atrial fibrillation and arrhythmia: Causes, symptoms and treatment
By Stephanie Pappas last updated
Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition that causes an irregular heart rate. Sometimes, there can be no symptoms.
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