HS&F - Cardiovascular System Flashcards
(32 cards)
Recall the components of the RIGHT side of the Heart
- Vena Cava
- Right atrium
- Tricuspid Valve
- Right Ventricle
- Pulmonary Artery
Recall the components of the LEFT side of the Heart
- Pulmonary Vein
- Left atrium
- Mitral/Bicuspid Valve
- Left ventricle
- Aorta
What is the Sinoatrial Node in the Heart and where is it located?
The Heart’s natural pacemaker. It’s located in the right atrium
Where is the Atrioventricular Node located?
Located at the bottom of the right atrium
Describe the pathway for electrical signals through the heart
SA node → Atria → AV node → Bundle of His → Bundle branches → Purkinje fibres → Ventricles
What is Bradycardia and Tachycardia?
Bradycardia - resting HR less than or equal to 60 BPM
Tachycardia - resting HR more than or equal to 100 BPM
What are the main functions of the Cardiovascular system?
- Controls blood transport
- Transports oxygen and nutrients to tissues
- Removes carbon dioxide and lactate from tissues
- Contributes to regulating body temperature
- Supports immune system
Can you name 4 major pulse sites
- Radial - on the anterior wrist, between the wrist bone and the tendon on the thumb side
- Brachial - just above the elbow crease on the inner arm, and medial to the bicep tendon
- Carotid - on either side of the neck, just below the jawline, in the soft hollow area to the side of the Adam’s apple
- Dorsalis Pedis - on the top of the foot, in the first intermetatarsal space
Define Cardiac Output
The volume of blood pumped out per ventricle per minute. Measured in ml
What is the equation for Cardiac Output
Cardiac Output = Heart rate x Stroke Volume
Define Stroke Volume
The volume of blood ejected from the heart with each beat (average 70ml/beat at rest)
Define Haemodynamics
The movement of blood around the body and the forces involved in its circulation
Define Blood Pressure
The force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as the heart pumps it around the body.
What is blood pressure measured in?
millimetres of mercury (mmHg)
What is the difference between diastolic and systolic blood pressure
Diastolic = pressure when the heart is resting between beats.
Systolic = pressure when the heart contracts and pumps blood out
What is the equation for blood pressure?
Cardiac Output (Q) x total peripheral resistance (TPR)
What is Rate of Pressure Product and how do you calculate it?
A measure of how hard the heart is working. It estimates the oxygen demand of the heart muscle during activity.
Systolic blood pressure (SBP) x Heart rate (HR)
What is Cardiac Reserve?
The ratio between a persons maximal cardiac output and cardiac output at rest.
What are the determinants of blood pressure?
- Blood volume
- Peripheral resistance
- Stroke volume
- Heart rate
- Blood viscosity
What is Homeostasis
The body’s way of keeping its internal environment stable and balanced, even when external conditions change.
This regulation involves various physiological systems that work together to balance factors such as:
- Temperature
- pH
- Hydration
- Electrolyte levels
What is the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)?
ANS controls involuntary functions like heart rate, digestion, breathing, and more.
What are the 2 branches of the ANS and what are they responsible for?
Sympathetic Nervous System - speeding processes up - ‘fight or flight’ (e.g increasing heart rate)
Parasympathetic Nervous System - slowing processes down - ‘rest and digest’ (e.g lowering heart rate)
What is the purpose of a biological passport?
Developed to combat doping by monitoring athletes’ biomarkers over time.
What lab practical is relevant to the cardiovascular system?
12 lead ECG
