15 Facts About the Heart That You Didn’t Know

Here are 15 fascinating facts about the heart that might surprise you. First, your heart beats about 100,000 times per day, pumping roughly 2,000 gallons of blood. Over an average lifetime, that's nearly 2.5 billion heartbeats. The heart is a powerful organ, capable of continuing to beat even when separated from the body, provided it has an oxygen supply. This is due to its own intrinsic electrical system.

Interestingly, the heart is the first organ to form and function during fetal development, starting to beat around three weeks after conception. In a healthy heart, the sound of a heartbeat is caused by the closing of its valves.

Your heart is slightly tilted to the left side of your chest, which is why the left lung is smaller than the right to accommodate it. The heart's size is roughly equivalent to that of your fist. Women’s hearts beat slightly faster than men’s, averaging 78 beats per minute compared to men’s 70.

Regular exercise strengthens the heart, making it more efficient at pumping blood. Laughter can also be good for your heart by reducing stress and boosting your immune system. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, but a heart-healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk.