Get heart


Cost of a heart


The heart pumps blood carrying food to the cells throughout the body, beating approximately 72 times per minute. If the heart ever ceases to pump blood, the body begins to shut down and after a very short period of time will die.
With the average heart rate of 72 beats per minute the heart will pump about 10 litres per minute which is called Cardiac output. For a normal, non-athlete man of average age of 70 years, the cardiac output of the average human heart over a life time would be about 1 million litres. And the heart beats tirelessly for about 2.7 billion times in a lifetime of 70 years.

I first met with hearts while playing cards. I was in school then. I somehow liked the beautiful red symbol. Exchanging hearts was not so openly common during those times. Today we see all pervading use of the symbol around. All and sundry, young and old alike fearlessly don shirts daubed with blood red heart.
While growing up I lost my heart unknowingly along with billion others all over the world. It was necessary for continuity.
Later I saw heartbreaks in various hues. Still later I nearly lost my heart physically. It was a major attack. I learned the meaning of the term infarction and also the value of having a beating heart.
I thought I have learned a lot about hearts in these many years. But no, learning is never complete. The real cost of a heart I came to know at last.
My friend went for publishing a matrimonial ad for his daughter in a newspaper. The paper had various options for highlighting the ad. My friend asked for a ‘tick mark’. He knew only about the tick mark. “It would cost Rs.200 extra”, the girl on the counter informed him. He told them to go ahead. But the girl was helpful. She asked him, “Would you like to have a heart?” He initially thought they wanted to sell him the heart mark and it must be costing a good deal more. But heart is heart—even in his advanced age he could not resist the temptation and asked, “What is the charge by the way?” “The same Rs.200”, replied the counter-girl smiling. My friend was very happy and forthwith closed the deal.
And I learned the cost of a heart at last from him.

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