Cardiac muscle

What Is Cardiac Muscle?

Cardiac muscle is the special kind of muscle that makes up the main part of your heart. It is also called heart muscle or myocardium. This muscle is very strong and works all the time to pump blood through your body. It is one of three types of muscle in vertebrate animals, along with skeletal muscle and smooth muscle.

How the Heart Works

The heart has three layers. The middle layer is made of cardiac muscle. This muscle is thick and helps the heart beat in a special way. When the heart beats, it relaxes to fill with blood and then contracts to push the blood out. This repeating pattern is called the cardiac cycle. It includes two main parts: diastole, when the heart relaxes, and systole, when the heart contracts.

Inside the heart muscle, there are special cells called cardiomyocytes. These cells are connected by structures called intercalated discs. They work together to make the heart pump blood well. The heart muscle needs a lot of energy, so it gets its own blood supply through coronary arteries. These tiny blood vessels bring oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle.

Keeping Heart Muscle Healthy

It is very important to keep your heart muscle healthy. A healthy heart can keep beating strong for many years. Things like eating well, playing, and resting can help your heart stay healthy. When heart muscle stays strong, it can keep your whole body healthy too.