Harvard research discusses the heart's interactions with the body
BOSTON Despite the once-common view of the heart as a standalone pump, the organ has connections to other organs throughout the body. A special section in the September 2009 issue of the Harvard Heart Letter explores interactions between the heart, brain, lungs, bones and other parts of the body.
For example, chronic lung diseases such as emphysema can enlarge the heart’s right ventricle, while kidney damage increases the chances of a heart attack or stroke, and mental conditions such as depression, loneliness and anger can promote or exacerbate heart attacks.