Visit from a Heart Surgeon

Last Wednesday afternoon, the Year 1 boys were very fortunate to meet heart surgeon, Dr McKenna. Year 1 have been learning all about the human body and are particularly fascinated by the heart and how it functions, alongside our other vital organs.

Dr McKenna began by finding out what the boys already knew about keeping your heart healthy. Regular exercise, a healthy diet and avoiding bad habits, such as smoking, came out as the top three priorities.

Dr McKenna explained that his job is to unblock people’s arteries when fatty deposits have built up. The boys got to see how a stent is inserted into the vein, through the wrist, and were lucky to be able to see and touch all of the equipment involved in such a procedure. They were even more fascinated to hear that patients remain awake whilst this is being done!

Volunteers were then called upon to lie down and have their heart rate measured with Dr McKenna’s mobile ultrasound and blue jelly. The boys were amazed to see the four chambers of the heart at work, and now truly understand what happens when heart valves open and close.

Sincere thanks to Dr McKenna for giving up his valuable time and sharing his valuable knowledge with the boys. They are sorry that they managed to squash your £500 metal stent! (Luckily, it was past its use by date!)

If any parents have jobs relating to our learning, please contact your child’s teacher!

Mrs Blackburn.