Cardiovascular System Flashcards by Cerys Arthur

Layers of the heart

Pericardium- protective outer sac layer, pericardial fluid (2 layers)
Epicardium- visceral layer of serous pericardium
Myocardium- middle layer, largest portion of heart wall, contains contractile fibres/conduction system/blood supply, site of MI
Endocardium- innermost layer, smooth muscle, lines valves/ inner chambers of heart

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Where is the tricuspid valve?

Right atrioventricular valve

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Mitral valve location?

Left atrioventricular valve

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Electrical pathway of heart

SA node- AV node- bundle of his- bundle branches- purkinje fibres

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What heart sounds are you listening for ?

Lub, dub
Lub= atrioventricular valve closing
Dub= semilunar valve closing

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Stroke volume?

Volume of blood pumped by each ventricle in 1 contraction
(Approx 70ml)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Cardiac output

Amount of blood pumped out of the heart in one minute
Stroke volume X Heart rate

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Aetiology/ causes of cardiovascular conditions

Genetics
Age
Smoking
Exercise
Drug/alcohol use
Hypertension
Stress
Type 2 diabetes
MI/ ischaemia
Chest trauma/ injury
Infection

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Atherosclerosis

Build up of plaque/fat/lipids in arteries (atheroma)
Reduced blood flow
Harden over time, pierce artery wall and reduce elasticity, scar tissue formed
Increases blood pressure
Possible plaque rupture/thrombosis

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Consequences of atherosclerosis

Ischaemia due to narrowed blood vessel
Complete occlusion= infarction
Blood vessels rupture

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Congestive heart failure

Later stage of heart failure- weak pump function of ventricles due to thickening/smaller filling capacity
(Congestion of fluid in body due to poor circulation)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Preload

Volume of blood in ventricles at the end of diastole

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

After load

Resistance the left ventricle must overcome to circulate blood

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Symptoms of heart failure

Peripheral oedema/ swelling in extremities
SOB
Chest pain
Dizziness, fatigue
Heart palpitations
Dry hacking cough

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Cardiac output equation

Stroke volume X heart rate

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Blood pressure equation

Cardiac output X systemic vascular resistance

Left sided ventricular failure vs right

Left:
-pulmonary oedema
-inability for heart to pump out all oxygenated blood from lungs
-air mixes with plasma forming white frothy foam

Right:
-peripheral oedema in legs/ankles/
-build up of fluid in systemic circulation

Consequences of LVF

Cyanosis
SOB/ DIB, Rhonda, wheeze, resp distress
Coughing white/pink sputum
Jugular vein distension
Infection
Ischaemia
Chest pain
Confusion
High bp/tachycardia (compensatory)
Orthopnoea

Causes of heart failure

Infection
Chest trauma
MI/ ischaemia
Cardiomyopathy (disease of heart muscle)
Pulmonary disease
Tricuspid/pulmonary valve disease

Heart failure medications

Diuretics- encourage fluid drainage (oedema), reduces hypertension
Ace inhibitors- lower bp, reduce strain on heart

Ischaemic heart disease + symptoms

-Reduced blood supply to heart
-caused by atherosclerosis of coronary arteries
-prolonged ischaemia= necrosis, MI
-increased lactic acid in blood from anaerobic respiration of ischaemic tissue

Symptoms:
Left shoulder/arm pain, angina

Cardiomyopathy

-disease of myocardium (muscle layer of heart), weakens, unable to pump efficiently

Types of cardiomyopathy

-dilated
-hypertrophic
-arrythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia
-restrictive cardiomyopathy
(Differ on How the heart muscle is damaged)

Cardiomyopathy leads to…?

Irregular heart beat
Heart failure
Heart valve issues

Aneurysm

Ballooning of blood vessel wall due to high bp Can burst/rupture blood vessels Common in aorta

Causes of aneurysm

Congenital Trauma Infection Atherosclerosis (Causing high bp)

Types of aneurysm

Fusiform- artery wall expands until it bursts Dissecting- split of inner lining, blood filters through and strips layers apart, more blood around artery than in it, occurs in high pressure areas eg aorta Saccular- artery wall forms a sac

Complications of aneurysm

Stroke- clot travels to brain Thromboembolism Angina Low Bp, tachycardia, light headedness Varying Bp readings Sudden extreme headache (subarachnoid haemorrhage)

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

Caused by atherosclerosis/genetics/smoking Most Common over age 50

Aortic dissection (result of AAA)

Inner layer of aorta tears, haemorrhage into vessel wall Acute and life threatening

Symptoms of AAA/ dissection

Pain in anterior chest/back, tearing pain Syncope/Transient LOC Hemiplegia (one sided paralysis) Pulsating mass Low bp

Hypertension

High bp, 2 types: -essential -secondary Affects kidneys

Essential hypertension

Unknown cause, 95% of cases, asymptomatic

Secondary hypertension

Caused by medical conditions: Alcohol, obesity, pregnancy, drug treatment, hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, adrenal gland disorders

Hypotension

Low bp, inadequate blood supply to organs Complication of other conditions Eg postural hypotension, POTS, vasovagal syncope, Hypovolaemia, infection (loss of fluid)