Brain Science:
The connection between the heart and brain goes far beyond the fact that the brain receives blood from the heart. It is important to remember, however, that the brain functions uniquely and often separately from the rest of the body. There is even a barrier – the blood brain barrier- that acts like a gated door: only certain molecules crucial to neural function are allowed into the brain from the blood. This makes the brain independent to some degree.
Sanjay Gupta in his book, “Keep Sharp Build a Better Brain at Any Age”
Says:
“I have been exploring the deep connection between heart and the brain. It is true that what is good for one is also good for the other, but I now believe the secret is that it all begins with your brain. … Once your brain is running cleanly and smoothly, everything else follows. ... Nearly every doctor I have spoken about this book has said some variation of the following: In order to take care of your body, you have to first take care of your mind.”
The heart is the fist-sized primary organ of your circulatory system that’s solely responsible for pumping blood throughout your body. The brain is a far more complex organ, in comparison, that’s responsible for the control of your memory, emotion, and motor skills. While the heart plays a vital role in human life, the brain has proven to be more medically important due to its complexity and because of the lack of medical advancements in the field of the brain when compared to the heart. This can be proven by various complications that injuries to the brain can cause and the risk involved in brain surgeries that can turn you into a ‘vegetative state.’
It’s also important to note that the past years of technological advancement have led to the discovery of transplanting an artificial heart if one’s own heart is giving away. Did you know that if a heart dies from cardiac arrest, it can be brought back to life through a process known as cardiac resuscitation?
Yes! It’s exactly how movies have shown us.
Sadly, if your brain dies, it’s far riskier and difficult to bring it back to life.
You might’ve also noticed that a medical death is pronounced only once the brain is declared dead and not when the heart is.
This clearly shows that scientifically, the brain holds a more special status than the heart does, although both are needed to survive.
So, in this aspect too, the brain can be placed a little ahead of the heart in its importance for the survival of the human body.
Brain Facts:
According to a 2015 study conducted, the total artificial heart was found to be a form of mechanical circulatory support that can replace a patient’s native ventricles and valves.
Although such medical advancements for hearts exist, the same cannot be said for brains, as medical science is not expecting the possibility of brain transplant or the invention of an artificial brain anytime soon.
According to the US National Library of Medicine, the heart pumps about 5.7 liters of blood throughout the body.
The entire thinking process, our memories and everything we feel, and everything that makes us human is related to our brain
While any kind of surgery may pose threats to life if some sort of medical error or complication arises, the riskiest of it all caters to brain and heart surgeries.
While both brain and heart surgeries can be equally risky, there’s a slightly heavier weight of riskiness involved with the brain
Mouth-to-mouth breathing and chest compressions are enough to temporarily pump blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available, as verified by the US National Library of Medicine.
Even abnormal heartbeats can be temporarily solved by using methods of cardio version which doctors use to send electric shocks to your heart by pressing electrodes on your chest.
Sadly, if your brain dies, it’s far riskier and difficult to bring it back to life.
So What:
Conclusion
Guess what! The brain wins! ( Would I have said anything else!)
It's best not to give priority to one or the other since your brain and heart health are connected, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
By keeping your heart healthy, you’re also reducing the risk of brain complications like dementia and stroke.
You can ensure your brain and heart health by staying away from tobacco, minimizing alcohol intake, eating healthy, staying active, and controlling your blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes.
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