Why Do We Hear Heartbeats? 5 Points to Consider

1. Quiet Down, Why the Noise?

Have you noticed that among all body organs, there is one that makes noise when it functions? Which one is it? The heart!

Why is it that the heart, an incredible pump that nourishes the entire body, is the one that beats and makes a pounding sound - boom, boom, boom? Why don't the lungs make a blowing sound, or the brain make noise like a computer processor? What is it about the heart, which beats around 100,000 times a day and pumps about 5 liters of blood per minute in a healthy person, that makes it the only organ to produce sound? Why do we hear our heartbeats? Why not beat quietly, why make noise?

There are several reasons why we hear heartbeats: the ability to hear them allows us to check the heart's function and identify issues like irregular or overly fast heartbeats, which are vital for our health. Additionally, hearing the beats can provide information about our emotional and physiological state. For example, accelerated heartbeats indicate stress or excitement.

However, there is another explanation. The heart beats loudly at every moment, not just every hour or once a week, to remind us continuously that Hashem is with us – "I am here! I am here! I am with you! I am with you!" It's a living reminder that Hashem never leaves us for a moment.

Emotional, isn't it?

(Photo: shutterstock)

2. Through the Lens

Have you ever tried opening your eyes in a pool? They close automatically. There are various reasons: the water exerts pressure on the eyes, causing them to close automatically to protect themselves, and primarily it's a natural bodily response to protect the eyes from external stimuli like water. If you still want to open your eyes in water, you'll need a swimming mask that seals out water, protects the eyes from chlorine and other irritants, and allows clear visibility underwater.

It's hard not to wonder: How does a fish open its eyes in the water freely and comfortably without a swimming mask? How does it manage to see clearly in an aquatic environment, especially where there is no lighting?

The fish is a fascinating creature in terms of its vision system, which is specially adapted for underwater sight. The fish's lens is spherical, allowing it to see sharply in water, which is an optical environment different from air. Additionally, the fish can focus on different distances simultaneously, helping it hunt prey and avoid predators effectively.

In the fish's eyes, the retina contains rod receptors for low-light vision and cone receptors for color and pattern recognition in its surroundings. The composition of receptors varies between species; fish living in deep or low-light areas have more rod receptors, while those in well-lit areas have more cone receptors. The combination of these two types of receptors enables fish to see in various conditions, detect motion and patterns, and survive in their environment.

Fish can endure the pressure and contact of water without issue. They have special protective layers on their eyes, like transparent membranes, guarding against irritants like water currents, sand, or other impacts. They can also balance internal eye pressure with the external water pressure.

The fish eye is remarkably adapted to the aquatic environment. Every small detail teaches us about the divine wisdom that created all this perfectly and highlights the immense power and divine creativity behind the creation.

3. Preparing Man's Path

You know, our legs are truly something special. They not only allow us to walk and run but also teach us something very important – about the existence of a Creator for the world. How can that be? Here are a few brief and interesting examples:

The human leg is an amazing and complex structure, including precisely coordinated bones, muscles, tendons, and joints. All these function in perfect harmony, suggesting that someone very wise designed it in a sophisticated manner.

The legs allow us to stand upright and move efficiently, a critical feature for survival and active living. It's a perfect invention that someone with great wisdom thought of and implemented.

Additionally, the legs contain thousands of nerves and millions of cells, allowing us to control them with precision and speed. This impressive capability demonstrates sophistication and precision in design.

The legs can also support our body weight, run, jump, and perform complex movements easily. Their strength and ability to handle various activities indicate exceptional design and deep thought.

All these are clear signs that someone wise and perfect created our legs. And who can be that marvelous creator if not the creator of the world?

4. Lest the Windpipe Outrun the Esophagus

The food we swallow embarks on a fascinating journey in our body, carefully moving through the esophagus to the stomach. When we swallow, the tongue and palate muscles contract in a remarkable sequence, pushing the food into the esophagus while preventing its entry into the windpipe. Simultaneously, other muscles close off the windpipe, preventing food from entering it. This is a crucial defense mechanism that ensures the safe passage of food to the stomach without risking the respiratory tract.

The pharynx valve is an anatomical structure located at the top of the throat, between the esophagus and windpipe. It is a critical junction where food and air must part ways – food must enter the esophagus, while air goes to the windpipe. During swallowing, the pharynx valve opens to allow food and liquids to pass from the mouth to the esophagus, then closes to prevent food or liquids from entering the respiratory tract. Thus, it ensures the safe transit of food from the mouth to the esophagus without entering the windpipe.

Should a particle of food still reach the windpipe, a gag reflex is triggered – an automatic defense mechanism that causes the muscles to contract and expel the material.

The astonishing details of the pharynx valve's structure and operation indicate a supreme intelligence behind its creation. Who designed, engineered, and crafted this complex and precise valve, ensuring the human's proper functioning?

(Photo: shutterstock)

5. "Praise Hashem... Every Bird with Wings"

The wonder of a bird's wings is one of nature's greatest marvels. Each wing is engineered in a supernatural manner, combining an incredible system of structures and complex mechanisms.

Aerodynamic Shape – The wings of birds are uniquely designed to effortlessly cut through the air and generate lift. The aerodynamic shape reduces air resistance and helps the bird fly efficiently.

Rapid Flap Rate – Birds can move their wings at a tremendous speed, up to about 50 beats per second, generating significant lift force and enabling them to fly long distances.

Light yet Strong Structure – Birds' wings are made from materials like keratin that are lightweight but have high structural strength. This allows the wings to be light in weight but strong enough to carry the bird's body weight.

Wing Movement – The coordinated shape and movement of the wings create air currents that allow the bird to lift itself and fly long distances.

Moreover, the wings contain incredible systems of sensors and control mechanisms, allowing the bird to control its movements with exceptional accuracy and agility. The bird can change the wing's angles, flapping speed, and flight direction in a fraction of a second, according to its changing needs.

Birds' wings are an example of supernatural engineering – light bones, strong feathers, and impressive muscles. The sensor and control systems allow precise and fast movements, and each detail indicates meticulous planning and supreme divine wisdom.