Cardiovascular System

Question 1

signs and symptoms

Answer 1

check, neck or arm pain/discomfort

palpitation

dyspnea

syncope (loss of consciousness)

cyanosis

peripheral edema

claudication (leg pain or cramping d/t a lack of blood flow (peripheral vascular disease)

Question 2

effects of aging

Answer 2

decreased # of cardiac muscle cells

development of cardiac fibrosis

decreased Ca transport across membranes

lower capillary density

decrease in intracellular response to beta-adrenergic stim (decrease sympathetic innervation)

impaired autonomic reflex control of heart rate

Question 3

what aging effects are significant during exercise

Answer 3

decrease in intracellular response to beta-adrenergic stim (decrease sympathetic innervation)

impaired autonomic reflex control of heart rate

may take longer for an older patient to reach a certain target HR or may take a longer time to recover