The heart is a muscular organ present in most animals, responsible for pumping blood throughout the circulatory system. This pumping action delivers oxygen and nutrients to the body and carries away waste products like carbon dioxide to the lungs for removal. In humans, the heart is roughly the size of a closed fist and sits between the lungs in the chest area known as the mediastinum.
1906: Sunao Tawara's Discovery of the Atrioventricular Node
Sunao Tawara's 1906 publication, "Das Reizleitungssystem des Säugetierherzens," revolutionized the understanding of the heart's electrical conduction system with his discovery of the atrioventricular node.
1924: Willem Einthoven's Nobel Prize for the Electrocardiogram
Willem Einthoven was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology in 1924 for his invention of the electrocardiogram, a groundbreaking tool for diagnosing and monitoring heart conditions.
1927: Ernest Starling's Impact on Cardiac Physiology
English physiologist Ernest Starling, who died in 1927, is known for his work on the heart, particularly his contributions to the Frank-Starling mechanism.
1944: Otto Frank's Contributions to Cardiac Physiology
German physiologist Otto Frank made significant contributions to the understanding of the heart's mechanics, particularly the Frank-Starling mechanism, which describes the relationship between cardiac output and venous return. He passed away in 1944.
1948: Framingham Heart Study Commences
The Framingham Heart Study, initiated in 1948, has provided invaluable insights into the risk factors for heart disease, including diet, exercise, and the effects of common medications like aspirin.
1964: James Hardy's Attempt at Xenotransplantation
James Hardy attempted the first human heart transplant using a chimpanzee heart in 1964, though the patient tragically died shortly after the procedure.
1967: Christiaan Barnard Performs First Human-to-Human Heart Transplant
In 1967, Christiaan Barnard made medical history by performing the world's first successful human-to-human heart transplant at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.
March 2000: Global Heart Transplantations Reach 55,000
By March 2000, over 55,000 heart transplants had been performed globally, highlighting the progress made in cardiac surgery and organ transplantation.
2008: Cardiovascular Diseases: A Leading Cause of Death
As of 2008, heart disease remained a major global health concern, representing a significant portion of deaths, particularly in high-income nations.
2008: Global Prevalence of Cardiovascular Diseases
In 2008, cardiovascular diseases were the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 30% of all deaths. The majority of these deaths were attributed to coronary artery disease and stroke.
July 2014: OpenStax Anatomy & Physiology Publication
OpenStax College published "Anatomy & Physiology" on OpenStax CNX in July 2014, providing open educational resources for studying the human body.
2020: Indigenous Leaders Advocate for Heart-Centered Living
In 2020, Indigenous leaders worldwide convened to emphasize the importance of heart-centered living for global balance and well-being.
January 7, 2022: First Successful Transplant of Genetically Modified Pig Heart
On January 7, 2022, a groundbreaking heart transplant was performed in Baltimore by Bartley P. Griffith, where a genetically modified pig heart was successfully transplanted into David Bennett (57).
March 2022: David Bennett's Passing After Groundbreaking Transplant
David Bennett, who received a genetically modified pig heart in a historic transplant, passed away on March 8, 2022, after living for two months with the xenotransplantation.