Matters of the Heart with Neil deGrasse Tyson

Explore the milestones reached in the cardiothoracic field in the past few centuries, and which animals can be used to create an artificial valve for the human heart. You’ll learn how heavy the heaviest heart in the world is and which animal it comes from. Neil explains how the human heart is affected in space; and how many beats per minute is the norm if the heart doesn’t have to work against the forces of gravity. Additionally, you’ll hear the surprising tale of Burke and Hare, two infamous grave robbers living in Edinburgh in 1828, who stole cadavers to sell to med students – and what they did when the corpses started to run out.

Episode: Season 2, Episode 9 – Matters of the Heart

Air Date: 14 February 2011

Co-host: Chuck Nice: comedian

Guests: Dr. Daryl Hoffman: cardiac Surgeon, Beth Israel Medical Center, NYC, Glynn Wood, Sound Engineer, Brian Malow, Science Comedian

Running Time: 42:20

ISBN: Digital Download 978-1-61544-912-5