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How the Heart Works
A 15-minute primer on the heart and how it works

By Richard N. Fogoros, M.D., About.com

Updated: May 15, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board


The Heart, Illustrated and Simplified

The heart chambers and heart valves
The heart is the body's pump. This article shows how it all works.

The coronary arteries
This article describes the coronary arteries, the vital blood vessels that supply the energy-hungry heart muscle.

The cardiac electrical system
The heart's electrical system coordinates the beating of the heart, and is critical to making sure the system works the way it's supposed to.

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