PHYSICAL WELLNESS

the heart’s powerhouse

cardiac muscle

Cardiac muscle is a special type of muscle found only in the heart. It contracts automatically, without you having to think about it, to pump blood through your body every second of your life. Unlike skeletal muscle, you can’t control it consciously — it’s fully involuntary.

  • Pumps blood throughout the body

  • Contracts in a rhythmic, steady beat

  • Sends oxygen and nutrients to tissues

  • Removes carbon dioxide and waste through circulation

  • Keeps working without fatigue (unless diseased)

CARDIAC MUSCLE BASICS

Common Terms + Simple Definitions

Here’s a mini glossary for cardiac muscle related words you’ll see throughout the site:

Cardiac Muscle - Muscle tissue found only in the heart

Myocardium - The thick muscular layer of the heart wall that contracts to pump blood

Involuntary Muscle - Muscle you cannot consciously control (like cardiac or smooth muscle)

Pacemaker Cells - Specialized heart cells that generate the electrical signals for heartbeat

Contraction - The tightening/shortening of heart muscle that pumps blood

WHAT CARDIAC MUSCLE WORKS WITH

CARDIAC MUSCLE + OTHER SYSTEMS

  1. Circulatory System → Pushes blood through arteries, veins, and capillaries

  2. Respiratory System → Delivers oxygen from the lungs into the blood and removes carbon dioxide

  3. Nervous System → Autonomic nerves (sympathetic + parasympathetic) control heart rate (speeding it up or slowing it down)

  4. Endocrine System → Hormones like adrenaline influence heartbeat strength and speed

  5. Muscular + Skeletal Systems → Work together with circulation to deliver oxygen and energy to muscles for movement

HealthY CARDIAC MUSCLE…

Your heart beats about 100,000 times a day thanks to cardiac muscle. Without ever resting, it delivers life-sustaining blood to every organ and tissue. Strong, healthy cardiac muscle means a strong, healthy body.