Cardiovascascular System

Question 1

What is the cardiac cycle?

Answer 1

The process of the heart filling with blood followed by a contraction where the blood is pumped out.

It is made up of three main parts.

Question 2

What is the role of the sinoatrial node (SAN)?

Answer 2

The SAN sends an impulse to the right atrium causing the muscular walls to contract.

The SAN is often called the heart’s pacemaker.

Question 3

Where is the atrioventricular node (AVN) located?

Answer 3

Between the atria and the ventricles.

It acts as a buffer that slows down the signal from the SAN.

Question 4

What is the function of the AVN?

Answer 4

It slows down the signal from the SAN to allow the ventricles to fill with blood before contraction.

Question 5

What is the bundle of His?

Answer 5

A specialist muscle cell that transports impulses from the AVN to the ventricles.

Question 6

What do Purkinje fibres do?

Answer 6

They allow the ventricles to contract, causing blood to be pushed out of the heart.

Question 7

What effect does the sympathetic nervous system have during exercise?

Answer 7

It increases the heart rate.

Question 8

What happens to the heart rate after exercise?

Answer 8

The heart slows down.

Question 9

Which nervous system controls the heart rate increase during exercise?

Answer 9

The sympathetic nervous system.

Question 10

Which nervous system controls the heart rate decrease after exercise?

Answer 10

The parasympathetic nervous system.

Question 11

Fill in the blank: The _______ is the heart’s pacemaker.

Answer 11

sinoatrial node (SAN)

Question 12

True or False: The atria and ventricles contract at the same time.

Answer 12

False.

Question 13

List the components of the cardiac conduction system in order.

Answer 13

• Sinoatrial node (SAN)
• Atrioventricular node (AVN)
• Bundle of His
• Bundle branches
• Purkinje fibres

Question 14

What is the anticipatory rise in heart rate?

Answer 14

An increase in heart rate prior to exercise due to the release of adrenalin

This prepares the body for increased demands during physical activity.

Question 15

What factors contribute to increased cardiac output during exercise?

Answer 15

Increased heart rate and increased stroke volume

Cardiac Output = Stroke Volume X Heart Rate.

Question 16

What is stroke volume?

Answer 16

The amount of blood ejected from the heart per beat

Question 17

What does cardiac output measure?

Answer 17

The amount of blood pumped from the heart in one minute

Question 18

How does blood pressure change during exercise?

Answer 18

Blood pressure increases as more blood is pumped through the blood vessels

Question 19

What are the two readings of blood pressure?

Answer 19

Systolic and Diastolic

Systolic is the pressure during heart contraction, Diastolic is the pressure during heart relaxation.

Question 20

What does systolic pressure represent?

Answer 20

The pressure on the artery wall when the heart contracts

Question 21

What does diastolic pressure represent?

Answer 21

The pressure on the artery when the heart relaxes

Question 22

What happens to blood flow during exercise?

Answer 22

Blood is redirected to working muscles and reduced to non-essential areas

Blood vessels vasodilate for muscles and vasoconstrict for the digestive system.

Question 23

Define blood pressure.

Answer 23

The pressure of the blood against the walls of your arteries

Question 24

What is the relationship between exercise and oxygen demand?

Answer 24

Increased exercise leads to increased demand for oxygen, resulting in higher heart rate, stroke volume, and cardiac output

Question 25

What is cardiac hypertrophy?

Answer 25

Cardiac hypertrophy is where the walls of the heart get thicker, increasing the strength of its contractions.

Question 26

How does cardiac hypertrophy affect stroke volume?

Answer 26

It allows the heart to pump more blood per beat (stroke volume), which means more oxygen can be transported to the working muscles during exercise.

Question 27

What is the effect of cardiac hypertrophy on resting heart rate?

Answer 27

It results in a decrease in resting heart rate because the heart can pump more blood per beat, requiring less effort.

Question 28

How does training affect resting blood pressure?

Answer 28

Training reduces blood pressure, decreasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Question 29

What happens to heart rate recovery time due to training?

Answer 29

It decreases recovery time after exercise by allowing the heart to pump blood at an increased rate, removing waste products faster.

Question 30

What is capillarisation and how is it affected by exercise?

Answer 30

Capillarisation is the increase in capillaries around muscles and alveoli, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to diffuse into the blood.

Question 31

What is the effect of training on blood volume?

Answer 31

Training increases blood volume mainly due to capillarisation, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to be delivered throughout the body.

Question 32

What is a characteristic difference between an untrained heart and a trained heart?

Answer 32

A trained heart has an enlarged left ventricle and thicker walls.

Question 33

Fill in the blank: Cardiac hypertrophy allows the heart to pump more blood per beat, resulting in an increase in _______.

Answer 33

stroke volume

Question 34

True or False: Training increases the resting heart rate.

Answer 34

False

Question 35

What role does exercise play in maintaining healthy blood vessels?

Answer 35

Exercise keeps our blood vessels healthy.

Question 36

What is Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS)?

Answer 36

A heart condition that can cause sudden death due to cardiac arrhythmia ## Footnote SADS often occurs in individuals who appear fit and healthy, particularly during strenuous exercise.

Question 37

What can trigger Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS)?

Answer 37

Participation in strenuous exercise ## Footnote Individuals may not show clear symptoms before experiencing SADS.

Question 38

What is blood pressure?

Answer 38

The pressure blood exerts on the arteries ## Footnote Blood pressure is a critical factor influencing cardiovascular health.

Question 39

What is hypertension?

Answer 39

High blood pressure ## Footnote Hypertension is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Question 40

What is hypotension?

Answer 40

Low blood pressure ## Footnote Symptoms of hypotension include dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, and fainting.

Question 41

What is hypothermia?

Answer 41

A drop in core body temperature below 35°C ## Footnote Hypothermia can occur due to prolonged exposure to cold or cold and wet conditions.

Question 42

What is hyperthermia?

Answer 42

An increase in core body temperature ## Footnote Hyperthermia can lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke.

Question 43

What are common symptoms of hyperthermia?

Answer 43

Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke ## Footnote The body may struggle to regulate temperature in hot conditions.

Question 44

What is recommended to manage body temperature during exercise in warm conditions?

Answer 44

Drinking water before, during, and after exercise ## Footnote Proper hydration helps maintain thermoregulation.