Chapter 1: 1.1 The heart and circulatory system Flashcards
What system is nutrients and waste products supplied and removed by?
Circulatory system
what does the heart consist of in regards to chambers?
Two upper small chambers: left and right atria
Two lower larger chambers: ventricles
What is the predominant tissue of the heart called? Name both names
Cardiac muscle
Myocardium
What is the right hand side of the heart used for?
Receiving blood from the body. The CO2 saturated blood (deoxygenated blood) enters the right atrium through either the inferior or superior vena cava. Its then ejected to the lungs by the right ventricle via the pulmonary artery.
What is the left side of the heart used for?
Oxygenated blood enters into the left atrium via the pulmonary vein. The left ventricle then ejects blood and O2 via the aorta to the tissues of the body (systemic circulation).
Whats the difference between a vein’s job and a arteries job?
Veins carry blood to the heart
Arteries carry blood away from the heart
What is the job of the hearts valves?
To open and close in response to changes of pressure as the heart contracts and releases.
What are the two main valves of the heart?
Artrioventricular valves (AV valves) Senilunar valves (SL valves)
What does AV valves stand for?
Atrioventricular valves
What does SL valves stand for?
Semilunar valves
What causes the ‘lub-dub’ noises in the heart?
The semilunar vales (SL valves) and antrioventricular valves (AV vlaves) shutting, letting blood through and shutting again.
What is the heart’s pacemaker called?
Sinostrial node.
What does coronary circulation mean?
Describes the circulation of the blood to the heart.
What describes the circulation of the heart?
Coronary circulation
What does myocardial ischaemia mean?
The reduction of blood flow to the heart through the coronary circulation which can result in a heart attack.
What is the most likely to make the heart fail?
Most heart conditions can be attributed to poor coronary circulation, as a result of:
- blood clots
- fatty plaques building up in the coronary arteries
- or spasms in the smooth muscle.
What is vascular disease?
The narrowing of a blood vessel.
What are the symptoms of vascular disease?
Reduced ability to exercise, chest pain and heart attacks.
What are the causes and effects of atherosclerosis?
Casues:
An inflammation within the vessel subsequently building up mineral, protein and fat deposits which creates plaque on the vessel wall.
Effects:
This restricts or completely prevents blood flow to the tissues and organs which can starve the structures of nutrients and oxygen.
What does atherosclerosis mean?
The hardening of arteries.
What is angina pectoris?
Translates as strangled chest.
Is when atherosclerosis has happened somewhere in the body which is resulting in the heart being starved of nutrients and oxygen via the blood.
How does atherosclerosis occur?
Through family history, lack of exercise, stress, an unhealthy diet, being overweight and smoking.
What does a blood pressure test measure?
The force that blood applies to the walls of the arteries as it flows though them. Optimal is: 120/80 mmHg
Systolic blood pressure (SBL):
- The pressure put on the artery walls during the contraction phase of the heartbeat.
- Always the higher number
Diastolic blood pressure (DBP):
- The pressure put on the artery walls during the relaxation phase of the heartbeat.
- Always the smaller number
In what unit is a blood pressure test measured?
Millimetres of mercury (mmHg)
What instruments is used for a blood pressure test?
Sphygmomanometer
Fill in the blanks:
Blood pressure = ………… X ………..
Cardiac output
and
total peripheral resistance
How does cardiac output work?
It is the volume of blood pumped out by the heart in one minute. (ml/min).
The greater the cardiac output, the higher the blood pressure.
What is total peripheral resistance?
The resistance the blood vessels offer to blood flow.
What is a myocardial infarction?
A heart attack.
What does hypertension mean?
That the blood pressure is consistently higher than a healthy level (120/80) when at rest.
What are two of the worlds biggest killers that hypertension causes?
Ischaemic heart diseases (variety of heart conditions like valve disease or myocardial infarction)
Cerebrovascular diseases (acute problems such as haemorrhagic, ischaemic strokes, dementia and alzheimers).
Retina damage (blindness)
Kidney problems.
What are the short term effects of exercise on blood pressure?
Increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and a possible decrease in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) or the DBP could say the same (especially heavyweight and isometric training / exercise).
What are the long term effects of exercise on blood pressure?
Aerobic exercise in rhythmical activity can preduce blood pressure over time.
What is the valsalva effect?
When one holds their breath when exercising against the bodies natural exhale
If one already has hypertension and regularly uses the valsalva effect, what are the risks?
Increased risk of stroke during and immediately after exercise
And
An increased risk of myocardial infarction during and immediately after exercise.
What is stroke volume?
The amount of blood pumped out with each beat of the heart.
What is cardiac output?
The volume of blood pumped around the body per minute.
Name three long term changes to the cardiovascular system during physical exercise
Improvement in the efficiency of the heart as a pump during physical exercise which will reflect in:
A lower heart rate
A greater stroke volume
An increase in maximal cardiac output.
What are examples of important benefits of aerobic or endurance based training to the cardiovascular system? (9 to get)
- A greater stroke volume
- A lower relative exercise heart rate
- stronger, more elastic arteries
- Lower levels of bad cholesterol (LDL)
- Higher levels of good cholesterol
- An improved blood supply to the body’s tissues
- Higher levels of haemoglobin in the blood, which in turn increases its oxygen-carrying capacity
- Improved aerobic capacity (VO2 max)
- Lower blood pressure in the long term.
