Does the heart pumping and movement of blood affect body weight?

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In summary, when the heart pumps and blood flows downwards in the body, there is an equal and opposite reaction of the blood being pumped upwards, resulting in no change in body weight. This is due to the momentum of the blood being pumped in both directions being identical. According to relativity, pressure, energy, and mass all have a gravitational effect, so technically there may be a slight increase in body weight, but it would be too small to measure. In practice, any potential weight gain from the pumping of blood would be offset by the calories burned. Additionally, rapidly moving blood has kinetic energy, which may result in a slight decrease in weight. Assuming the volume of blood remains constant, there is no net effect of blood being pumped up
  • #1
ATPenergy
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When the heart pump and blood flow down the body , Does the body wieght increase,be the same or decrease? Why?
 
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  • #2
It is not possible for the heart to pump blood downwards without pumping an exactly equal amount upwards.
 
  • #3
Ok. Let's pump blood upwards also
 
  • #4
Well, since the momentum of the blood being pumped downwards is necessarily identical in magnitude to the momentum of the blood being pumped in the opposite direction, then net effect is zero and therefor your weight remains the same.
 
  • #5
Does the body has momentum upwards?
 
  • #6
Negitron just answered that question "no" (zero).
 
  • #7
Equal and opposite reactions. Like birds flying in the back of a mach truck. It makes no difference, the weight remains constant.
 
  • #8
EXACTLY what negitron said!
 
  • #9
According to relativity, pressure,energy and mass all have a gravitational effect...So body weight would increase as the heart pumps but not enough for us to actually measure... In practice any such gain would be more than offset by the calories consumed pumping...
Rapidly moving blood also has kinetic energy; not so easy a question to answer but I'm pretty sure the next effect is a loss in "weight".

By analogy, compressing a spring means it has potential energy stored...hence it's weight increases just a tiny,tiny,bit...in that case the energy is clearly added to the system unlike the example with a heart burning calories(energy).

Assuming the volume of blood does not change there is no net effect of blood being pumped up or down...this could be of interest since gravity at the head is less than at the feet.
 
  • #10
Naty1 said:
According to relativity, pressure,energy and mass all have a gravitational effect...So body weight would increase as the heart pumps but not enough for us to actually measure... In practice any such gain would be more than offset by the calories consumed pumping...
Rapidly moving blood also has kinetic energy; not so easy a question to answer but I'm pretty sure the next effect is a loss in "weight".

By analogy, compressing a spring means it has potential energy stored...hence it's weight increases just a tiny,tiny,bit...in that case the energy is clearly added to the system unlike the example with a heart burning calories(energy).

Assuming the volume of blood does not change there is no net effect of blood being pumped up or down...this could be of interest since gravity at the head is less than at the feet.


Probably not the answer the OP was looking for...
 

Related to Does the heart pumping and movement of blood affect body weight?

1. How does the heart pump blood throughout the body?

The heart is a muscular organ that contracts and relaxes, creating a pumping action that moves blood throughout the body. It has four chambers - the left and right atria and the left and right ventricles. The atria receive oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and oxygen-poor blood from the body, while the ventricles pump the blood out to the body and lungs, respectively.

2. What is the role of body weight in heart health?

Body weight plays a significant role in heart health. Excess weight can put strain on the heart, leading to conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Losing weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise can improve heart function and reduce the risk of heart disease.

3. How does exercise affect the heart?

Regular exercise can improve heart health in several ways. It strengthens the heart muscle, making it more efficient at pumping blood. It also helps to lower blood pressure, decrease cholesterol levels, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Exercise also promotes the growth of new blood vessels, improving circulation throughout the body.

4. Can the heart pump too fast or too slow?

Yes, the heart can pump too fast or too slow, which can be a sign of an underlying health issue. A rapid heart rate, known as tachycardia, can be caused by factors such as stress, exercise, or certain medications. A slow heart rate, known as bradycardia, may be a sign of an underlying medical condition and should be evaluated by a doctor.

5. How does age affect heart pumping?

As we age, the heart may not pump as efficiently as it used to. This is due to changes in the heart muscle and blood vessels, which can lead to conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease. However, regular physical activity and a healthy lifestyle can help maintain heart health and function as we age.

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