On March 23 and 24, 2015, the Living Environment students dissected two adult deer hearts. The purpose was to get a better understanding of the various parts of the heart, their arrangement in space and their function.It was a time of discovery and wonder. One student handled the dissecting tools with the care and precision of a surgeon. Another student, upon manually exploring the inner chambers of the heart by way of the large vessels discovered a bone fragment in the heart and two deep lacerations in the exterior heart muscle. This allowed us all to participate in an impromptu forensics study as to the possible cause of death of the animal.

Pictures have been posted on the "science photos page".

A discussion of the heart would not be complete without mentioning how important it is that we know how to treat our hearts. So, in that spirit, below are a list of some heart healthy tips and advice. After all, if your heart is not healthy, it most likely will shorten your life span if the problem is not effectively addressed.

 

Exercise

Consume less salt

Lower your stress levels

Eat foods low in saturated fat

Eat "superfoods" like blueberries, oatmeal, garlic, olive oil and whole grains

Quit smoking

Do not abuse drugs or alcohol

Get regular checkups from your doctor

 

for  more complete information  go to:   www.heart.org