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Numbers in the News: The Heart
Valentine’s Day means hearts are everywhere. Check out some facts about the real-life organ that inspired this symbol of love.
SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
4
The number of chambers in a human heart. These hollow spaces expand and contract to pump blood throughout your body.
100,000
The estimated number of times a human heart beats each day
9 TO 11 OUNCES
The weight of an average human heart—a little lighter than a can of soda!
60,000 MILES
The length of all blood vessels in an adult human body laid end to end. that’s enough to circle Earth twice!
ART IMAGES VIA GETTY IMAGES
14TH CENTURY
The century in which the classic ♥️ shape first appeared in art.
THINK ABOUT IT: Count how many times your heart beats in one minute. This is your heart rate. Based on this number, how many times does your heart beat every hour? Every day?
SOURCES: CLEVELAND CLINIC, BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, THE SHAPE OF THE HEART BY PIERRE VINKEN