cardiovascular system - haemodynamics Flashcards
what is haemodynamics
Study of how blood flows through the cardiovascular system
blood flow is determined by what
physical factors:
- Blood pressure
- Resistance to flow
what does resistance to blood flow depend on
Vessel length and radius
Blood viscosity
Arrangement of vessels
what is Hydrostatic pressure exerted by
blood on walls of vessel
what is resistance
opposition to blood flow, principally due to friction between blood vessel walls & blood.
Pressure measured within major artery system measures
Millimetres of mercury (mm Hg)
whats Systolic BP
Maximum BP during contraction of ventricles
whats Diastolic BP
Minimum BP just before next contraction
name a method for measuring blood pressure
sphygmomannometer
explain what happens in a Sphygmomanometer
Inflate cuff
- Occlude artery – no sound (as no blood flow)
Slowly deflate
Listen for Korotkoff sounds
- Spurting blood - sound = systolic (pressure to allow blood through narrow vessel; mmHg)
- Further deflate – feint sound = diastolic (mmHg)
what is our arterial pulse
heart rate
explain how we have an arterial pulse
Sudden ejection of blood into the aorta
then
Transmission through the arterial system
then
Rhythmic expansion of arterial wall
what is tachycardia
rapid resting pulse >100 beats/min (bpm)
what is Bradycardia
slow resting pulse <60 bpm
(e.g., endurance-trained athletes)
what is venous return
Blood returns from periphery to the heart