Cardiovascular Flashcards
(49 cards)
What is the primary function of the heart?
The heart is a pump that propels blood forward and keeps it circulating.
What do arteries do?
Arteries take oxygenated blood to the tissues.
What do veins do?
Veins take deoxygenated blood to the heart.
What is preload?
The amount of stretch of the heart muscle as it fills up prior to contraction.
What mainly affects preload?
Blood volume and venous return.
What is afterload?
The amount of resistance the heart has to pump against to get the blood out.
What mainly affects afterload?
The constriction and/or patency of blood vessels and heart valves.
What is cardiac output (CO)?
The amount of blood pumped out of the heart every minute.
What is the formula for calculating cardiac output?
CO = HR (heart rate) x SV (stroke volume).
What are symptoms of decreased cardiac output?
- Urine output: ↓
- Blood pressure: ↓
- Breathing: ↑RR, SOB
- LOC: confusion, lethargy, restlessness
- Pain: chest pain
- Skin: pale, cool, clammy
- Pulse quality: weak
- Dizziness, fatigue
What is blood pressure?
The amount of pressure exerted on the walls of the arteries.
What is the formula for blood pressure?
BP = CO (cardiac output) x SVR (systemic vascular resistance).
What is the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)?
A natural body system to increase blood pressure when needed to maintain homeostasis.
What happens when the RAAS is activated?
- Vasoconstriction
- Excretion of potassium
- Retention of salt & water.
What are the main drug classes used in cardiac treatment?
- Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
- Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB)
- Beta Blockers
- Calcium Channel Blockers
- Diuretics
What is the suffix commonly used for ACE inhibitors?
-pril.
What is the benefit of ACE inhibitors for cardiac patients?
- Lower blood pressure
- Decrease preload and afterload.
What is the suffix for Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB)?
-sartan.
What is a common side effect to monitor for with ACE inhibitors?
Cough.
What is the suffix for beta blockers?
-lol.
What is a complication of heart failure?
Pulmonary edema.
What are the symptoms of left-sided heart failure?
- SOB
- Crackles
- Low O2 saturation.
What diagnostic tools are used for heart failure?
- Echocardiogram
- BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide)
- CXR (chest X-ray).
What is atrial fibrillation?
Excessive electrical signals originating in the atria causing numerous small contractions instead of one normal contraction.