The human heart is about the size of a clenched list..........three times a week can make a huge difference to your health.

The human heart is about the size of a clenched list. It is located under the breastbone between the lungs (just left of centre) and is made up of four chambers. Blood flows through these chambers in a pattern that supplies all parts of the body with oxygenated blood and returns blood to the lungs for reoxygenation.

There are two types of blood vessels : arteries and veins. Arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart and are elastic, which enables them to withstand the pressure of blood being pumped with great force. Veins carry blood back to the heart. By the same time blood reaches the veins, blood pressure has dropped. Veins are not elastic, but have small valves that keep the deoxygenated blood from flowing backwards. When kept healthy and strong, the body's network of veins and arteries should work as efficiently in an older body as a younger one.

The body's ingenious design means skin, muscle and a sturdy ribcage protects the heart from injury. The real risk to the health of our heart comes not from injury, but from failing to take proper care of this vital organ. However, maintaining a healthy heart is relatively simple, and it is never too late to start. The first question is : Do you smoke ? If you do, the first step is to quit. Even occasional smoking has been proven to be detrimental to the health of your heart. Regular exercise is essential to help maintain weight and keep the heart strong. It is, after all, a muscle. It is also important to limit fats in the diet, particularly animal fats derived from meat and full-fat dairy foods.

Enjoying health to a ripe old age is common in many Mediterranean communities where diet is based on olive oil, vegetables, fish, nuts, fruits, grains and pulses. Many doctors and naturopaths believe that it is the low levels of cholesterol that make the Mediterranean diet an excellent model for those wishing to maintain their cardiovascular health.

Keep your heart strong with exercise. It has proven that exercise is extremely important for the maintenance of a healthy cardiovascular system. In addition to keeping the heart itself strong, exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, which reduces pressure on the heart. You don't need to become a gym junkie. A brisk 30-minute walk at least three times a week can make a huge difference to your health.

Summary: The heart is made up of four chambers. Blood flows through these chambers and the arteries supply all parts of the body with the oxygenated blood. The veins return blood to the lungs for re-oxygenation. When kept healthy and strong, the veins and arteries work efficiently. The heart is protected by skin, muscle and a sturdy ribcage. The real risk to the health of our heart comes from failing to take proper care of it. Quit smoking if you do. Regular exercise is essential to help maintain weight and keep the heart strong. Limit fats in the diet, particularly animal fats derived from meat and full-fat dairy foods. Keeping the level of cholesterol low will ensure a healthy heart.