At its largest point, the average person's aorta is wider than most standard garden hoses. The human aorta is about 1.2 inches (about 3 cm) in diameter at the top, where it joins the heart. The average diameter of a garden hose is less than half that, at about 0.5 inches (about 1.75 cm). However, the aorta does get much smaller as it goes towards the diaphragm, and is only about 0.5 inches (about 1.75 cm) at its end.

More facts about the heart:

• The heart pumps about 5 quarts (about 4.75 liters) of blood every minute. Over the course of a day, that adds up to about 2,000 gallons (about 1,570 liters).


• The human heart beats about 100,000 times a day.


• Although the electrocardiogram was invented in 1902, it is still the primary test used today to evaluate a person's heart rate and rhythm.

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