Cardiovascular Disease Flashcards
What two factors are calculated to find blood pressure?
Cardiac output and peripheral vascular resistance
What is the difference in the tissue make-up of veins and arteries?
Arteries have elastic fibers interconnected with smooth muscle tissue
What two mechanisms do veins utilize when “pumping” blood to the heart?
Muscular contractions to assist in the movement of blood flow and “one-way” valves to prevent back-flow
What endocrine system is responsible for regulating blood pressure within the body?
Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
How is sodium responsible for decreased blood pressure?
Low sodium results in low fluid (“water”) which decreases blood pressure
How does the release of aldosterone from the adrenal glands in response to A2 formed via angiotensin (liver), lenin (kidney), and ACE (lungs) affect blood pressure?
It increases the re-absorption of sodium
What hormone is responsible for vasoconstriction on the level of the kidneys in the RAA system?
Angiotensin II
What is a desirable total cholesterol level?
> 200 mg/dL
Which type of cholesterol is the “good” kind?
HDL
What substances form the atheroma (plaque) associated with atherosclerosis (i.e. coronary artery disease)?
Fat, cholesterol, and other substances in the arteries
What ailments can result from atherosclerosis?
Heart attacks or strokes caused by the blocked blood flow from the narrowed artery
What is thrombosis?
Blood coagulation within an artery blocking blood flow
What type of artery supplies blood to the heart?
A coronary artery
What is an appropriate blood pressure reading indicating good health?
> 120/80
Which type of hypertension (high BP) is 90% common and yet the cause remains unknown?
Essential hypertension
What causes secondary hypertension?
Kidney disease
What causes hypertension physiologically?
An imbalance in cardiac output and peripheral vascular resistance
How are hypertension and atherosclerosis interrelated?
Hypertension can lead to or worsen atherosclerosis
Why might hypertension become a significant issue if you don’t see a doctor for an annual check-up?
Hypertension shows no symptoms
In an aneurysm, if the weakened, bulging artery bursts and releases blood into the skull, what can happen?
A stroke
What can potentially occur during a vascular dissection when the blood begins to pool between the layers of tissues near the torn artery?
As blood pools, it clots and slows blood flow within said artery
Words ending in -itis are generally associated with inflammation: what is vasculitis?
The inflammation of blood vessels
Why do the extremities (specifically the fingertips) appear white in raynaud phenomenon?
Vasoconstriction (as a result of cold or stress) decreases blood supply
What are “varicose” veins?
Damaged veins (primarily in the legs) that induce blood back-flow and appear abnormally dilated on the outer layer of skin
What is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease death?
Coronary artery disease
What node is responsible for triggering the heartbeat?
The sinoatrial node
How does blood flow through the RIGHT side of the heart?
Blood enters the heart through the vena cava from the body into the right atrium, traveling to the right ventricle, and enters the lungs via the pulmonary artery
How does blood flow through the LEFT side of the heart?
Blood enters the heart from the lungs via the pulmonary vein where it enters the left atrium, then the left ventricle, and finally exists the heart into the body by way of the aorta
How fast would the heart have to beat to consider tachycardia?
> 100 bpm
What is it called when your heart beats slower than 60 beats per minute?
Bradycardia
What can contribute to an arrhythmia?
Lack of oxygen to the heart (myocardial ischemia) or a small localized area of dead tissue resulting form a lack of oxygen (infarct)
What is the “ending point” in most, if not all, heart diseases that results in life-threatening conditions if not treated?
Congestive heart failure
What is the basic principle of the Frank-Starling curve?
The stroke volume increases in response to an increase in the volume of blood filling the heart and vice versa
If left heart failure is caused by various heart and/or blood vessel related diseases such as atherosclerosis and hypertension, then what is RIGHT heart failure most commonly caused by?
Left heart failure
What are the four symptoms of coronary heart disease?
Chest pain, heart attack, sudden cardiac death, or coronary artery disease
What is the single most common cause of death in the US?
Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
What is the most common form of valve disease and who experiences the most issues with this disease due to it’s age-related symptoms?
Aortic stenosis; the elderly
