4.3 The Heart

Question 1

What is the primary function of the heart?

Answer 1

The primary function of the heart is to pump blood around the body, supplying oxygen and nutrients while removing waste products.

Question 2

How many times does the heart beat per minute, and what is this circulation called?

Answer 2

The heart beats around 70 times per minute, and this process is called double circulation.

Question 3

What are the two sides of the heart responsible for?

Answer 3

The right side of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs, while the left side pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.

Question 4

What is the role of the coronary arteries?

Answer 4

The coronary arteries supply the heart muscle with oxygen and glucose, which are vital for its function.

Question 5

Where does deoxygenated blood enter the heart?

Answer 5

Deoxygenated blood enters the heart through the vena cava into the right atrium.

Question 6

Where is blood pumped after the right ventricle?

Answer 6

Blood is pumped from the right ventricle to the lungs through the pulmonary artery.

Question 7

What happens to blood after it has been oxygenated in the lungs?

Answer 7

Oxygenated blood returns to the heart through the pulmonary vein and enters the left atrium.

Question 8

Which artery carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body?

Answer 8

The aorta carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body.

Question 9

What is the function of heart valves?

Answer 9

Heart valves ensure that blood flows in the correct direction and prevent backflow.

Question 10

Which side of the heart has thicker muscle, and why?

Answer 10

The left side of the heart has thicker muscle because it needs to generate more force to pump blood throughout the entire body.

Question 11

What is the sound of the heartbeat caused by?

Answer 11

The sound of the heartbeat is caused by the closing of the valves in the heart.

Question 12

What is coronary heart disease?

Answer 12

Coronary heart disease occurs when the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle, become narrowed or blocked due to the buildup of fatty materials.

Question 13

What can happen if blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced?

Answer 13

If blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced, it can lead to pain, a heart attack, or even death.

Question 14

What is a stent, and how does it work?

Answer 14

A stent is a small metal mesh tube that is placed inside a narrowed or blocked artery to keep it open and allow blood to flow through. A balloon inflates the stent, and once it’s in place, the balloon is removed, leaving the stent to keep the artery open.

Question 15

What is coronary artery bypass surgery?

Answer 15

Coronary artery bypass surgery involves replacing the narrowed or blocked arteries with blood vessels from other parts of the body to improve blood flow.

Question 16

How do statins help patients with heart disease?

Answer 16

Statins are drugs that reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, slowing down the rate at which fatty materials are deposited in the coronary arteries, lowering the risk of coronary heart disease.

Question 17

What are some advantages of using a stent to treat coronary artery disease?

Answer 17

Stents can be inserted almost anywhere in the body without the need for major surgery, and they help keep arteries open for improved blood flow.

Question 18

What are some risks or disadvantages of using stents?

Answer 18

Stents may not always be effective in reducing heart attacks, and some may release drugs to prevent blood clotting, which can also introduce risks.

Question 19

What should you remember about the structure of the heart?

Answer 19

The heart has four chambers: two atria and two ventricles. Blood enters the heart through the atria and is pumped out through the ventricles.

Question 20

How does blood flow from the veins through the heart?

Answer 20

Blood flows from the veins into the atria, through valves to the ventricles, and then out via the arteries.

Question 21

Why is the left ventricle muscular wall thicker than the right?

Answer 21

The left ventricle has a thicker muscular wall because it needs to pump blood to the entire body, while the right ventricle only pumps blood to the lungs.

Question 22

What happens in the lungs to the blood that flows through the pulmonary arteries?

Answer 22

In the lungs, blood releases carbon dioxide and absorbs oxygen, becoming oxygenated before returning to the heart via the pulmonary vein.