title: [Mathematics and the heart].
abstract: Mathematical modeling in biomedical sciences is particularly difficult because of the great amount of variables that the biological phenomena imply, the difficulty in observation and experimentation, and the scarceness of mathematical methods suitable for incorporating all of these variables. Even so, many mathematical models can be found in biology which include reduccionist, structural or integrative approaches. Theoretical models in biology are designed upon clearly defined purposes and may extent from the molecular level to the intact organism. For a model to be useful, its variables, levels and links must be very explicit. Observable and measurable aspects of the heart allow a modeling approach of this organ, in normal or in pathological conditions. A few examples are mentioned. Mathematical modeling of the heart may help orient experimental research, join existing data and theories and it may also be of assistance as therapeutic guidance.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fisiología del Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, INCICH, Tlalpan, México D.F.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gorostiza
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cárdenas
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Valenzuela
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D010507:Periodicity
vernacular_title: Las matemáticas y el corazón.