Understanding the heart of the matter

The human heart starts to beat and pump blood in the foetus around day 21 or 22 after fertilization. The function of circulating blood through the blood is important and hence the heart is one of the first functional organs to develop.

The structure

The human heart consists of two atria and two ventricles. These are connected to two vessels called the aorta and pulmonary artery. All these work together to supply blood to the organs of the body. But pacemakers called the SA node and AC node control the electrical activity of the heart.

Problems in these mechanisms can result in:

• Pump failure or cardiac failure
• Rhythm disturbances
• Bluish discoloration of tongue and extremities

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of death all over the world since it causes heart attacks. Cardiomyopathy and viral myocarditis also can cause cardiac failure.

Also Read: Heart Transplantation: Questions you always wanted to ask

When heart failure advances, the medicines will no longer be effective. The patient will need artificial devices to support the heart or in severe cases, heart transplant surgery. The heart transplant cost may be high but it greatly improves the quality of life of the heart failure patient. The heart can be donated by only brain-dead people.

Kauvery Hospital

There aren’t many heart transplant hospitals in Chennai that offer premium care to patients. Hence if you are looking for the best hospitals for heart transplantation in India then you don’t have to look beyond Kauvery Hospital.