Over the course of a lifetime, the human heart beats approximately 2.85 billion times. However, the limit on their number depends on the lifestyle and characteristics of the organism. Dr. Partho Sengupta, head of the department of cardiovascular medicine at the Robert Wood Johnson School at Rutgers University, told Live Science.
The doctor explained that the heart rate varies greatly throughout the day – the organ responds to different physical activities. The intervals between contractions may slow down or speed up by about 100 milliseconds with each inhalation and exhalation.
A person's heart rate usually slows down somewhat with age as time takes its toll on the muscles. Aging can also lead to the development of fibrosis, a growth of connective tissue in the heart, or a heart rhythm disorder such as atrial fibrillation. All these features influence the number of contractions that the heart can potentially make during life.
According to Johnson, the deterioration of the heart can be slowed down – the number of its contractions does not necessarily stop at 2.85 billion. To do this, you need to control your stress levels, maintain a sleep schedule, exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet.
