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'A second heart': Scientists discover a hidden engine in the human chest

Produced by: Manoj Kumar

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Heart helper

New research shows the aorta acts like a second heart—actively pumping to boost circulation.

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Wave engine

This “wave-pumping” effect uses stretch and recoil to move blood, not just elastic pressure absorption.

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Firefly Close-up anatomical view of the aorta with muscle fibers activated, glowing or flexing—contr

Hidden muscle

Once thought passive, the aorta is now recognized as a dynamic force in adult blood circulation.

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Stretch signal

MRI scans reveal stronger aortic recoil in healthy people compared to heart failure patients.

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Firefly A side-by-side MRI scan image- one showing strong aortic recoil in a healthy person (vibrant
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Backup pump

In heart failure, the aorta’s recoil may pick up the slack—helping move blood when the heart can’t.

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Firefly Slow-motion style illustration of a heartbeat where the aorta expands to store energy, then

Pressure pulse

During each heartbeat, the aorta stores energy, then pushes it back into the bloodstream on recoil.

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Vital assist

This mechanism reduces the burden on the heart—possibly explaining why some weak hearts still perform well.

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Firefly A futuristic medical scene showing scientists or doctors targeting the aorta with advanced t

Therapy shift

Boosting aortic elasticity could become a target for heart failure treatment, beyond just helping the heart.

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Circulation rethink

The aorta isn’t just a blood vessel—it may be part of a broader circulatory engine we’ve overlooked.

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