Have you ever felt your heart beating fast after running or playing? That’s your heart working hard to keep you going. The heart is one of the most important parts of your body. It’s about the size of your fist, but it does a huge job—pumping blood all around your body!
Let’s take a fun look at how this super pump works.
What is the heart?
Your heart is a strong muscle in the middle of your chest, slightly to the left. It’s protected by your ribs and beats every second of every day—even when you’re sleeping. It never takes a break. That’s why it’s sometimes called a “hardworking hero” of your body.
What does the heart do?
The heart’s job is to pump blood. Blood is like a delivery truck—it carries oxygen and nutrients (the good stuff) to every part of your body. It also takes away waste, like carbon dioxide, which your body doesn’t need.
How does it work?
Think of the heart like a house with four rooms—two at the top called atria and two at the bottom called ventricles. These chambers open and close like doors to keep the blood moving in the right direction. Here’s how the heart works, step by step:
1. Blood without oxygen comes into the heart.
2. The heart sends this blood to the lungs to pick up fresh oxygen.
3. Now the blood is full of oxygen.
4. The heart pumps the oxygen-rich blood out to the rest of the body.
Did you know all happens in just one heartbeat and then it starts all over again—over and over, every second of every day!
What makes the heart beat?
The heart beats because of tiny electrical signals that tell it when to squeeze. Every time it squeezes, it pushes blood through the body. You can feel this beat if you put your hand on your chest or feel your wrist—that’s your pulse.
A normal heart beats about 60 to 100 times a minute when you’re resting. But if you’re running or excited, it can beat faster to send more oxygen to your muscles.
How can you keep your heart healthy?
Taking care of your heart is super important! Here are some fun ways to be a Heart Hero.
Be active: Run, jump, play—it makes your heart strong.
Eat healthy: Fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, oily fish and whole grains like oats, red rice and millet are heart-friendly foods.
Sleep well: Rest helps your heart recharge.
Stay calm: Less stress = a happier heart.
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Fun heart facts
• Your heart beats over 100,000 times a day.
• It pumps about 5 litres of blood every minute.
• Even though it’s small, the heart is one of the strongest muscles in your body.
Your heart works hard to keep you alive, moving, and growing. So be kind to your heart—it’s your super-powered pump that never stops to keep you alive.
