Cardiovascular System Flashcards
How many valves does the heart have, what are they called and what are their purposes?
1) tricuspid valve- regulate blood flow between right atrium and ventricle
2) pulmonary valve-controls blood flow from right ventricle into pulmonary arteries which carry blood to lungs to bring back O2
3) mitral valve-oxygen rich blood passes from left atrium to left ventricle
4) aortic valve- oxygen rich blood passes from left ventricle into aorta, the largest artery, where it is delivered to the rest of your body
How many chambers does the heart have, what are they called and what are their relative locations?
4
Left and right atrias- upper
Left and right ventricles- lower
What is the name of the only artery to carry oxygenated blood?
Pulmonary artery
What are the three centres of the body that clean the blood?
Kidney, liver, lymphatic system
What diet is best for cardiovascular conditions?
High fibre, low (saturated) fat
What parts makes up the cardiovascular system?
Heart and circulatory system
What is the most valuable herb for the cardiovascular system and why?
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)- tonic for both vascular system and heart. Safe in most cardio conditions except slow heartbeat and while on meds like digoxin
What group of vitamins are important for people with cardiovascular disease to supplement?
B vitamins
What are some factors that contribute to generalized cardiovascular disease?
Age and gender Heredity Diet Tobacco and Alcohol Stress and personality type Environmental toxins Exercise Cholesterol Homocysteine (b6, b12 and folic acid deficiencies show increased risk) Fibrogen
What is arteriosclerosis?
Hardening of arteries
To eliminate arteriosclerosis, what needs to happen?
List two herbs that can help with this action.
Clean the arteries and vessels. Hawthorn (crataegus spp) Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) Buckwheat (Fragopyrum esculentim) Garlic (allium sativa) Etc
List some supplements that may be helpful for arteriosclerosis
Magnesium Bromelain (breaks down plaque) Chelated calcium Look at zinc and copper deficiency L-carnitine Lecitihin (increases cholesterol solubility amd inhibits platelet formation) Omegas for anti-inflammation Panthene (helps eliminate cholesterol) Multi b vitamin Vitamin e
What herbal actions are helpful for arteriosclerosis
Vascular tonic
Vasodilators
Antispasmodic
Antitherom
What is hypertension and what herbal actions are beneficial in treating it?
A chronic increase in blood pressure above a normal range (High blood pressure)
Vascular tonic Hypotensive Central and peripheral vasodilators Antispasmodic Cardiovascular nervine
What is hypotension and what are some herbal actions that are beneficial in treating it?
Abnormally low blood pressure. Can result in’dizziness, shock, or endocrine issues. Rarely needs treatment.
Tonic Hypertensive
Hepatic stimulant
Vasodilators
What is arrhythmia? List some herbs that are especially helpful for this condition.
Abnormal heart beat. May exhibit palpitations.
motherwort (leonarus cardiaca) amd Borage (Borago officinalis) are both considered specific for this condition, especially when stress or hormones are to blame
hawthorn (crataegus spp) is also helpful for this condition when combined with nervines
linden/lime blossom (Tilia spp.) is a tonic and nervine and is also very beneficial for arrhythmia
What is Angina Pectoris and what herbal actions are beneficial for this condition?
Discomfort or pressure in chest. Usually early warning of myocardial infraction ( heart attack)
Tonics, antispasmodics and nervines. Do not stimulate system. Hawthorne and garlic are especially helpful for this condition
What are some supplements that can be used to address angina pectoris?
Co-enzyme q-10 is highly recommended
Vitamin e- start low dosage and gradually increase (800-1200 iu)
What are some of the possible causes of insufficient circulation?
Vascular bloackages Raynauds or Burketts syndrome Allergies Diabetes Smoking Basal body metabolic rate Diet Emotional stress Hormonal issues Issues with autonomic nervous system or endocrine system
What are some herbal actions that are beneficial for increasing circulation?
Vascular tonics
Vascular relaxants
Central and diffuse stimulants
What is intermittent claudication and what is a common root of it?
It is a buildup of plaque causing temporary blockage of blood flow especially when pressure is applied. It is common with diabetes
What are some herbal actions that are beneficial in the treatment of intermittent claudication?
Cardiac tonics Peripheral vasodilators Antispasmodics Diuretics Analgesics if needed for pain
What are varicose veins and what are some actions that are beneficial in its treatment?
Elongated dilated and painful superficial veins whose valves are congenitally absent, scant, or incompetent. Vascular tonics Anti inflammatory Circulatory vasomdilator Diuretic Lymphatic tonic Astringent Digestive stimulant
What are some supplements and lifestyle additions that can help relieve varicose veins?
Omegas (evening primrose) 2000 mg vitamin c Epsom salt baths Compresses made from cool astringing herbs (peppermint, witch hazel, calendula) Support stockings Addressing posture issues Elevating legs Moving every 45 minutes
What is anemia and what are some of the possible causes?
The result of a deficiency in red blood cell production.
Can be caused by low iron, b-12, blood loss, meds, kidney disease, leukemia, etc
What are some dietary suggestion for people with anemia?
Increase dark leafy greens, take blackstrap molasses for iron, increase almonds and cashews, dried fruits
Increase apsorption by using most usable forms (molasses, soy, kelp)
Avoid black teas and coffees, wheat bran, cereal and grains, antacids, calcium supplements
Take b supplements away from iron as they can impair its absorption
What are some herbs that are beneficial for amemia?
gentian (gentiana lutea) aids in nutrient absorption Chinese angelica/don quai (Angelica sinensis)- has long been used for blood building properties Chinese wolfberry (Lycium chinenese) is rich in b vitamins especially b1 and b12 and is a great blood tonic
What are the 6 most important types of supplements in treating CVS/ Heart Disease and why?
Co-enzyme q-10: essential component of metabolic porcesses involved in ATP (energy) production. There is often a deficiency in people with Heart disease.
Essential fatty acids: doetary linoleic acid is powerfully hypotensive and a complete omega supplement is good for cardiovascular health.
L-carnitine- amino acid that strengthens heart tissue and improve fat uptake in body. Especially useful in treating angina and congestive heart failure.
Minerals: Potassim amd magnesium especially are strongly loinked to hypertension and other types of heart disease,
Antioxidants: vitamin a, beta carotene, vitamin c, vitamin e, selenium, zinc and grape seed extract, clear plaque, increase vascular tone, support over all cvs health.
Name 2 herbs who are diffuse circulatory stimulants (increase circulation peripherally)
Angelica sinesis (chinese angelica) Angelica archangelica (angelica) Cinnamomum verum (cinnamon) Lycium chinense (chinese wolfberry) rosemarinus officinalis (rosemary)
Name 2 herbs that are central circulatory stimulants (heat internally)
Capsicum minimum (cayenne) Cinnamomum verum (cinnamon) Coleus forskohlii (coleus) Panax ginseng terminalia arjuna (arjuna)
Name 2 herbs that are cerebral circulatory stimulants (increase blood to brain)
Centella asiatica (gota kola) Gingko bilboa (gingko) Rosemarinus officinalis (rosemary) Stachys officinalis (wood betony) vinca minor (lesser periwinkle)
Name 2 herbs that are hypotensive (lower blood pressure)
Ocimum sanctum (Holy basil) Valeriana officinalis (valerian) eleuthercoccus senticosis (siberian ginseng) Olea europea (olive leaf) ribes nigrum (black currant)
Name two herbs that are hypertensive (raise blood pressure)
Chelidonium majus (greater celandine) Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal) Panax ginseng Ruscus acupeatus (butchers broom)
Name two herbs that are anticoagulants
Allium sativum (garlic) Asperula odorata (wood ruff) Dipteryx odorata (tonka bean)* Galium aparine (cleavers) Melilotus officinalis (sweet clover)
Name two herbs that are cardiac tonics (strengthen and tone heart)
Crataegus spp. (hawthorne) Lycopus europaeus (bugle weed) Salvia miltiorrhiza (dan shen/ red sage)
Name two herbs that are blood vessel tonics
Calendula officinalis equisetum arvense (horse tail) Gingko bilboa hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) Rosa spp (rose hips)
Name two herbs that have antitheroma/anticholestrimic properties (remove plaque, decreases platelet aggregation)
Avena sative (oat tops) ocimum sanctum (holy basil) Plantago psyllium (psyllium husk) allium sativa (garlic)* Gingko bilboa*
*stimulating: avoid use for those with angina pectoris
Name two herbs that are circulatory relaxants
Achillea millefolium (yarrow) Astrgalus membranaceous (astragalus) Lobelia inflata (lobelia) Salvia miltiorrhiza (red sage) Viburnum opulus (crampbark)
Name two herbs that are cvs nervines
Ocimum sanctum (holy basil) Salvia miltiorrhiza (red sage) Valeriana officinalis (valerian) Avena sativa (oat tops) Scutellaria lacteriflora (skullcap)
Name two herbs that are hemostatics/styptic (stop bleeding)
achillea millefolium (yarrow) Calendula officinalis Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) Quercus alba (white oak) urtica dioica (nettles)
Name two herbs that are rubefacient (irritating to tissue thus stimulating blood flow)
Armoracia rusticana (horse radish) Brassica album/nigra (white and black mustards) Capsicum minimum (cayenne) Juniperus communis (juniper) Urtica dioica (stinging nettles)
Name two herbs that are diuretics (decrease fluid retention to increase blood pressure/cardiac function)
Achillea millefolium (yarrow) Armoracia rusticana (horse radish) Juniperus communis (juniper) Ribes nigrum (black currant) taraxacum officinalis folia (dandelion)
