The Curious History of the Heart: A Cultural and Scientific Journey

Image Use: Creative Commons License

This beautifully written, engaging book is full of fascinating information. For example, the ancient Chinese believed all other organs were sacrificed for the heart. Leonardo Davinci, known for his fascination with the body, extracted the heart of a 100-year-old man who died peacefully to find a fully clogged heart valve. Is that how we are meant to die? When we have no more compassion to give?
The art of the heART is a thorough and imaginative section of the book. The stories of the heart in music of all types, literature, and rituals are very rich. If more science was written the way Dr. Figueredo writes, I believe more students would choose science as a field of study.

Dr. Figueredo doesn’t list his impressive credentials on the cover of this book. Not only is he an M.D. he also holds an F.A.H.A. (Fellow of the American Heart Association) and an F.A.C.C. (Fellow of the American College of Cardiology). He doesn’t explain why, but I like to think it’s because this work is bigger than he is. If that’s true — what impressive humility! Or perhaps he doesn’t list his credentials because it will attract a greater audience, including artists, musicians, knowledge-seekers, and writers.
​
Impressive studies of the heart/brain congruence started in the Renaissance period. It makes perfect sense. Such significance in art, music, and architecture is not possible without making full use of the brain and the heart!
More people die of cardiovascular disease than all cancers combined. Learning about the mechanics, the art, and the emotions of the heart will serve us all well — plus, it’s fun! 

---