COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
Misconception #1: The most common misconception is the “single loop” model, wherein the arteries carry blood from the heart to the body (where oxygen is deposited and waste collected) and the veins carry blood from the body to the heart (where it is cleaned and re-oxygenated). It does not assume that lungs are involved, but assumes that lungs are another part of the body to which blood has to travel. It does not assume that the site of oxygen-carbon-dioxide exchange is in the lungs; instead, it assumes such exchange happens in the heart. It does not assume there is a double loop (double paths), pulmonary and systemic, but instead assumes that there is a single path of blood flow and the role of the circulatory system is a systemic one only.
To overcome this misconception:
Misconception #2: Veins are blue in colour.
To overcome this misconception:
Misconception #3: A Heart Attack Stops the Heart From Beating
To overcome this:
Misconception #4: Stroke is Another Name for Heart Attack
To overcome this:
To overcome this misconception:
- Circulatory System and Heart (Animation)
- Blood Circulation in Heart (Animation)
Misconception #2: Veins are blue in colour.
To overcome this misconception:
- De-oxygenated Blood Turns Dark Red, Not Blue (Article)
- Why veins are blue? (Blog)
Misconception #3: A Heart Attack Stops the Heart From Beating
To overcome this:
- certainly possible to die from a heart attack, but it’s not required
- Heart attacks happen when blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked by plaque and blood clots. The heart muscle begin to die and may cause pain in the chest.
- Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops pumping blood. A cardiac arrest victim will not be breathing or have a pulse. Heart attacks lead to cardiac arrest.
- What happens during a heart
attack? (Expert Talk)
Misconception #4: Stroke is Another Name for Heart Attack
To overcome this:
- Heart attacks are caused by decreased blood flow to the heart muscle, often from blood clots. Strokes are caused by decreased blood flow to the brain, also often from blood clots. The two conditions look very different.
- Heart attacks commonly cause chest pain and shortness of breath. Strokes often lead to weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, confusion, and unconsciousness.
- Difference between a heart attack and a stroke (Animation)