Pathophysiology Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is cardiac output?
A measure of the workload of the heart.
How does a younger person’s body compensate for increased demand on the cardiovascular system?
By increasing the heart rate, increasing the contraction of the heart, and constricting blood vessels to nonvital organs.
What happens to the cardiovascular system with aging?
The ability to speed up contractions, increase contraction strength, and vasoconstrict is decreased due to stiffer vessels.
What is the effect of reduced stroke volume on cardiac output?
Cardiac output decreases.
What medications may affect older patients’ ability to increase heart rate?
Beta blockers for hypertension.
What is atherosclerosis?
An accumulation of fat and cholesterol in the arteries.
What are the major complications of atherosclerosis?
- Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- Stroke
At what age does atherosclerotic disease typically begin to affect individuals?
In the teen years.
What percentage of people older than 65 years are affected by atherosclerosis?
More than 60%.
What risks are associated with the presence of atherosclerosis?
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Hypertension
- Bowel infarction
What is an aneurysm?
An abnormal, blood-filled dilation of the wall of a blood vessel.
What can occur if an aneurysm ruptures?
Severe blood loss.
How do aging blood vessels affect blood pressure?
They become stiff, resulting in higher systolic blood pressure.
What happens to the left ventricle with aging?
It becomes thicker and loses elasticity, causing decreased filling and decreased cardiac output.
What anatomical changes occur in the heart with aging?
- Stiffening and degeneration of heart valves
- Alterations in the heart’s electrical conduction system
What is the sinoatrial node?
The normal pacemaker of the heart.
By age 75, what percentage of cells in the sinoatrial node decrease?
90%.
What is dyshythmia?
A disturbance in heart rhythm.
What condition is characterized by a decrease in blood pressure due to a change in position?
Orthostatic hypotension (postural hypotension).
What happens to blood when a person stands up?
Gravity pulls blood down, away from the brain.
What is venous stasis?
Loss of proper function of the veins in the legs that carry blood back to the heart.
What complications can arise from venous stasis?
- Superficial phlebitis
- Deep venous thrombosis (DVT)
What is a serious concern related to deep venous thrombosis?
Pulmonary embolism.
What symptoms are associated with venous stasis?
- Edema of the legs and ankles
- Feeling of fullness, aching, or tiredness in the legs
