The heart is a powerful muscle which expands and contracts
to pump blood to every part of the body. Everyone has a pear-shaped heart about
the size of a closed fist. The heart is located in the middle of the chest,
just behind the breastbone. The heart is divided into two chambers. The left
chamber, which is larger, pumps blood to the entire body. The right chamber,
which is smaller, pumps blood only to the lungs. Each of these chambers is
divided into two smaller chambers. The upper chambers are called auricles and
the lower chambers are called ventricles. Blood vessels, called arteries carry
the blood away from the heart. They expand and contract with the heart as the
blood is pumped through the body. From the arteries, the blood flows into
capillaries, which are tiny tubes throughout the body. The capillaries are then
joined with tiny tubes called veins which unite with larger veins in the body
to return the blood to the heart. This starts the blood flow all over again.
Heart Healthy Activities
Math – When the heart pumps, the veins stretch slightly
causing a pulse. Instruct students to find their own pulse by pressing their
middle fingers against the inside of their wrists or under the jaw on the neck.
How many times did your heart beat in 20 seconds? Multiply this number by three
to find out how many times your heart beats in a minute.
Science – There are many risk factors for cardiovascular
disease. Learn what is means to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or
diabetes; and explore ways to control it.
Health – With your students, make a list of heart healthy
foods. Stress the importance of eating a low-fat diet and encourage students to
look at the fat grams on their favorite snack – chips or chocolate – and
discuss how unhealthy these foods are for a healthy heart.
History – National Wear Red Day is held every year on the
first Friday in February. Heart disease is one of the most complicated health
challenges in the United States. People are encouraged to wear red to raise
awareness of heart disease. With your students, look back in history and
discover the date this National Wear Red Day occurred, who inspired the day,
and what caused them to raise awareness. Encourage students to wear red on
February 4, 2022 to raise awareness of heart disease.
Physical Education – Exercise makes the heart work faster
and harder. It also helps your heart become stronger and more efficient. There
are many things you can do to keep your heart healthy – dance, soccer,
basketball, baseball, tennis, football, etc. Encourage students to participate
in a Heart Walk or Cycle Nation. Both events, whether walking or cycling, raise
money for the American Heart Association.
Happy Homeschooling!
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