Reading #1

The article "Why the Heart is More Than A Pump" explores the historical and contemporary understanding of the heart, challenging the conventional notion that the heart is merely a pump. It begins by examining Galen's ancient beliefs about the four humors and their role in health, and his influential but incorrect ideas about blood circulation. The piece then traces the evolution of knowledge, highlighting significant contributions by Avicenna, Ibn al-Nafis, and William Harvey, who refuted Galen’s theories and demonstrated the true nature of blood circulation. Modern insights reveal the heart's complex role as an endocrine organ and its capacity for neurocommunication, proposing a more integrated view of its functions that intertwine physical, emotional, and cognitive aspects.

  • Understand the historical context and influence of Galen's theories on medicine.

  • Identify the key contributions of Avicenna and Ibn al-Nafis to the understanding of the heart and blood circulation.

  • Explain William Harvey's findings on blood circulation and how they contradicted Galen’s theories.

  • Recognize the heart’s role as an endocrine organ and its functions beyond merely pumping blood.

  • Discuss the concept of the heart’s 'little brain' and its implications for neurocommunication.

  • Explore the integration of physical, emotional, and cognitive functions of the heart in modern medical science.

Reading #2

The article by Prof. Abdullah A. Al Abdulgader, "The Heart: King of Organs", explores a revolutionary perspective on the human heart, emphasizing its role beyond merely pumping blood. Historically, ancient civilizations regarded the heart as central to emotions, learning, and intuition, a view that modern cardiac sciences have overlooked. Contemporary research, however, reveals that the heart functions as a sophisticated sensory organ and information processing center, influencing health and behavior through its electromagnetic and neuro-cardiac interactions. The article advocates for integrating this understanding into medical practices, including chronobiologically optimized treatments and heart rate modulation techniques. Recognizing the heart's profound impact on global consciousness and physiological responses to environmental changes, the article calls for a fusion of ancient wisdom and modern science to enhance cardiovascular health and overall human well-being.

  • Understand the historical and modern perspectives on the human heart's role in emotions, learning, and intuition.

  • Recognize the heart as a sensory organ with advanced information processing capabilities.

  • Explore the significance of electromagnetic, neuro-cardiac, biophysical, and energetic interactions of the heart.

  • Identify the implications of chronobiologically interpreted ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate monitoring in treating heart disease.

  • Analyze the potential of heart rate modulation techniques in improving cardiovascular health.

  • Evaluate the broader impact of the heart's functions on global consciousness and physiological responses to environmental changes.

Course curriculum

    1. Why The Heart is Much More Than A Pump - Paul Rosch

    2. More than a pump Quiz

    1. The Heart - King of Organs by Abdulla A. Al Abdulgader

    2. King of Organs Quiz

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