Medical information

Our heart - the motor of life

Our heart, a mere fist-size hollow muscle, is indeed a real marvel of nature. Throughout our lifetime it supplies our organs with the vital oxygen by daily pumping through our vessels between 6,000 and 8,000 litres of blood, which equals about the capacity of a tank lorry. The widely branched, altogether approx. 100,000 km long vascular system, made up of arteries and veins, serves to distribute oxygen and nutrients as well as remove carbon dioxide and waste matter thus ensuring the smooth functioning of the metabolism of each individual cell of our bodies.

The cardiovascular system of man

If the motor fails

If the motor fails due to, for example, a clogging of the coronary vessels, there is imminent danger. Cardiovascular diseases still cause every second case of death in Germany. Accordingly, it is not only important to avoid the relevant risk factors but also to detect and treat in good time any cardiovascular diseases so that the quality of life is maintained, or in severe cases the very survival is achieved.

Your attending doctor has diagnosed that you need a specialised examination or treatment of your heart and/or your vessels. On the following pages we will inform you about the most important methods applied in the Schüchtermann-Klinik. We hope that the articulate information will help you to better understand your disease and its treatment.