does the brain need to be functioning for the heart to beat?

2 ⤊

does the brain need to be functioning for the heart to beat?

Can the heart beat on its own (and other reflex functions like breathing) without any assistance or impulse being sent from the brain, or does the brain regulate these things?

2007-03-27 00:34:27 · 2 answers · asked by olly_olemassa 2 in Health ➔ Other - Health

2 answers

No. The heart is regulated my the sinus node and acts independently from the brain. Brain dead people that are on breathing machines can live a long time because their heart keeps beating on its own.

2007-03-27 00:45:24 · answer #1 · answered by mrs_m_06 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋

i know people who functioned for years without a brain

2007-03-27 00:38:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋