Chapter 20 Flashcards
3 Components of Cardiovascular System
- Heart
- Blood
- Circulatory System (Blood Vessels)
Right Atrium
- Receives blood from the superior/inferior vena cava
- Trasmits blood to the right ventricle (through the tricuspid valve)
Right Ventricle
- Receives blood from the right ventricle (through the tricuspid valve)
- Transmits blood to the lungs (via the pulmonary artery)
Left Atrium
- Receives blood from the lungs (via the pulmonary vein)
- Transmits blood to the left ventricle (through the mitral valve)
Left Ventricle
- Receives blood from the left atrium (through the mitral valve)
- Transmits blood to the body (via the aorta)
Aortic Valve
- Separates the left ventricle from the aorta.
- Controls the flow of blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Pulmonary Valve
- Separates the right ventricle from the pulmonary artery.
- Controls the flow of deoxygenated from the right ventricle to the lungs.
Interventricular Septum
A wall of cardiac muscle tissue that separates the left/right ventricles of the heart.
Atrioventricular Valves
- Tricuspid Valve (Separates the right atrium from the right ventricle)
- Mitral/Biscuspid Valve (Separates the left atrium and left ventricle)
Atrioventricular Valve: A valve that connects an atrial chamber to a ventricular chamber.
Semilunar Valves
Valves (consisting of flaps) that prevent the flow of blood back into the heart during systole.
The aortic valve and pulmonary valve are semilunar valves.
Myocardium
Muscle Tissue of the Heart
Epicardium
Outer Layer of the Heart
The Flow of Blood Through the Heart
- Blood enters the heart (i.e. the right atrium) from the inferior/superior vena cava.
- Blood travels through the tricuspid valve and into the right ventricle.
- Blood is pumped through the pulmonary valve and through the pulmonary artery to the lungs.
- Blood becomes oxygenated as it passes through the lungs.
- Blood returns to the heart (i.e. the left atrium) via the pulmonary veins.
- Blood travels through the mitral/biscuspid valve and into the left ventricle.
- Blood is pumped through the aortic valve and through the aorta to the rest of the body.
Cardiac Conduction System
A system of specialized muscle tissues that conduct electrical impulses to stimulate the heart to beat.
The cardiac conduction system is regulated by cardiac control centers in the brain.
Pulse
The outward expression of the beating of the heart.
Blood Pressure
- Systolic BP = Heart Contraction (Top Number)
- Diastolic BP = Heart Relaxation (Bottom Number)
Coronary Arteries
Blood vessels that wrap around the outside of the heart to supply cardiac tissue with blood/nutrients.
Where are circulatory valves located?
Veins
Purpose: To prevent the backflow of blood.
4 Components of Blood
- Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)
- White Blood Cells (Leukocytes)
- Plasma
- Platelets
Plasma
The liquid (and largest) component of blood that carries nutrients (e.g. salts, minerals, proteins) necessary for proper physiological functioning.
The plasma makes up about 55% of the blood by volume.
Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)
Any situtation in which the heart is not receiving enough oxygen.
- All patients with ACS-like signs/symptoms should be treated as through they are experiencing a heart issue.
- Symptoms of ACS patients often mimic non-cardiac conditions.
Common Symptoms of ACS
- Chest Pain (Most Common)
- Shortness of Breath
ACS-associated chest pain often radiates to the arms, upper abdomen, and jaw.
Associated Signs/Syptoms of ACS
- Anxiety
- Nausea (with Pain/Discomfort in Upper Abdomen)
- Sweating
- Abnormal Pulse
- Abnormal Blood Pressure
Populations with Atypical Presentations of ACS
- Women
- Elderly
- Diabetics
Electrocardiogram (EKG)
A written record of the electrical activity of the heart.
STEMI
ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
4 Steps for 12-Lead EKG
- Turn on the EKG monitor
- Plug in the monitoring cables (“leads”) into the EKG monitor
- Attach the “leads” to the electrodes
- Apply the electrodes to the patient’s body
Aspirin
An anticoagulant/antiplatelet drug that is used to treat ACS (e.g. myocardial infarctions).
Dose = 324 mg
Nitroglycerin
A vasodilator drug that is used to treat cardiac-associated chest pain.
Dose = 0.4 mg (1 Spray)
Indications/Contraindications of Nitroglycerin
Indications:
* Chest Pain
* History of Cardiac Issues
* Nitroglycerin Prescription
Contraindications:
* Systolic BP = <100
* Use of Erectile Dysfunction Drug within Past 48–72 Hours
* Recent Use of Nitroglycerin
Medical command needs to be contacted if additional doses (past 1 spray) of nitroglycerin are being administered to the patient.
Indications/Contraindications of Aspirin
Indications:
* Cardiac-Associated Chest Pain
* Ability to Safetly Swallow (and Follow Commands)
Contraindications:
* Inability to Safely Swallow (or Follow Commands)
* Allergy to Aspirin
* History of Asthma
* Active Bleeding
Medical command does not need to be contacted to administer Aspirin to the patient.
Side Effects of Aspirin
Side Effects of Nitroglycerin
- Headaches
- Fainting (due to Hypotension)
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Unresponsiveness
Common Causes of Cardiac Conditions
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Aneurysms
- Electrical Malfunctioning
- Angina Pectoris
- Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)
- Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
A group of conditions that narrow/block arteries of the heart (and often result from fatty deposits building up on inner aterial walls).
Thrombus (CAD)
A blood clot on the inner surface of an artery.
Embolus (CAD)
A piece of a blood clot that (breaks loose from a thrombus and) flows to a smaller artery.
Occlusion (CAD)
Blockage of a Blood Vessel
Aneurysm
A bulge in a blood vessel caused by a weakness in the vessel wall.
The bursting of an aneurysm constitutes a life-threatening situation by causing significant internal bleeding
Dysrhythmia
An abnormality in the physiological rhythm of the heart (often caused by a malfunctioning of the heart’s electrical conduction system).
Dysrhythmias can be observed in a patient that has no pulse.
3 Mechanical Malfunctions of the Heart
- Angina Pectoris
- Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)
- Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Angina Pectoris
Chest pain caused by insufficient blood flow to the myocardium (that typically results from narrowed coronary arteries).
Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)
The death of a portion of the myocardium due to oxygen insufficiency.
The underlying cause of an AMI is often coronary artery disease.
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Inadequete pumping of the heart that often leads to (excess) fluid build-up in the lungs and/or rest of the body
Signs/Symptoms of CHF
- Tachycardia
- Dyspnea + Cyanosis
- Normal/Elevated Blood Pressure
- Diaphoresis
- Pulmonary Edema
- Pedal Edema
- Anxiety/Confusion
- Engorged Neck Veins
- Pink Sputnum Production
