The heart is a muscle that pumps blood to all parts of your body through a network of blood vessels.

Blood pressure is considered high if readings are consistently more than 140/90 mmHg, according to healthdirect.
Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms, so regular checks matter.
Chest pain is the most common symptom of angina and heart attack. For heart attack warning signs, call triple zero (000) straight away.

How it works

A cluster of cells in the heart called the sinus node sets the heart rate, which at rest is about 60 to 100 beats a minute. During exercise the heart can pump up to four times as much blood a minute. Blood pressure is the force of the pumping blood on the artery walls.

In coronary heart disease, plaque made of fat, cholesterol and other materials builds up inside the arteries that supply the heart and narrows them, a process called atherosclerosis. Risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, an unhealthy diet, too little physical activity, too much alcohol and being overweight. It is the leading cause of death in Australia.

Looking after it

Call triple zero (000) straight away for chest pain, especially with shortness of breath, sweating, feeling sick or dizzy, or pain in the arm, shoulder, back, neck or jaw. These are heart attack warning signs listed by the Heart Foundation.

Connections

15 connections on the map. Select a topic to read its page.

Heart and blood vessels is linked with

Heart palpitations
Palpitations are usually not serious, but see your doctor so your heart can be checked.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Heart palpitations
Swelling (fluid retention)
Heart failure is one cause of fluid retention.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Fluid retention
Dementia Supported
Heart health and brain health are connected, and protecting your blood vessels and circulation lowers the risk of vascular dementia.
Sources: Better Health Channel (Victorian Government), Dementia: reducing your risk; healthdirect Australia, Dementia
Psoriasis Supported
People with psoriasis may have a higher chance of other health problems, such as heart disease.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Psoriasis

Heart and blood vessels is affected by

High blood pressure
High blood pressure is a risk factor for coronary heart disease and heart attacks.
Sources: healthdirect Australia, Coronary heart disease; healthdirect Australia, High blood pressure (hypertension)
Atrial fibrillation (AF)
In atrial fibrillation the upper chambers of the heart twitch, or fibrillate, rather than pump normally.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Atrial fibrillation
Heart failure
In heart failure the heart is not pumping blood to the rest of the body as well as it should.
Source: Heart Foundation, What is heart failure?

Heart and blood vessels is supported by

Nitric oxide
Nitric oxide expands blood vessels.
Source: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Dietary supplements for exercise and athletic performance
Physical activity
Not getting enough physical activity is a risk factor for coronary heart disease, and regular activity helps lower the risk.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Coronary heart disease
Healthy eating pattern
An unhealthy diet is a risk factor for coronary heart disease, and eating a healthy diet helps lower the risk.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Coronary heart disease

Heart and blood vessels is controlled by

Brain and nervous system
The sympathetic nervous system makes the heart beat faster and stronger.
Source: InformedHealth.org (IQWiG), NCBI Bookshelf, In brief: How does the nervous system work?
Kidneys
The kidneys help to control your blood pressure.
Source: Better Health Channel (Victorian Government), Kidneys

Heart and blood vessels includes

Blood and red blood cells
Blood transports nutrients, minerals and hormones throughout your body.
Source: Pathology Tests Explained, Full blood count

Heart and blood vessels has been studied with

Cold-water immersion Emerging
Cold water therapy is believed by some to improve heart health, but the evidence is scant, and the cold shock response makes the heart work harder.
Source: American Heart Association News, You're not a polar bear: the plunge into cold water comes with risks

Heart and blood vessels needs

Potassium
Potassium lets nerves respond and muscles contract, including the heart muscle.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Potassium

Lab tests

Cholesterol and lipid profileMeasures the fats in your blood, including LDL ('bad') and HDL ('good') cholesterol and triglycerides, to help estimate heart disease risk.

Medicines and supplements

General education only. Never start, stop or change a medicine without your prescriber.

Sources

Heart explainedBetter Health Channel (Victorian Government), last reviewed 25 February 2022
Coronary heart diseasehealthdirect Australia, last reviewed June 2024
High blood pressure (hypertension)healthdirect Australia, last reviewed November 2024
Heart attack warning signsHeart Foundation

Each connection above names its own source. See every source AskBioMap uses.

Summarised from the Better Health Channel, healthdirect and the Heart Foundation. Sources read on 13 and 16 October 2026. General education only, not medical advice. Spotted a mistake? Please tell us through the HuBu-Intel contact page.

In brief