Circulation Flashcards
What occurs when atherosclerosis occludes the coronary arteries?
Angina or Myocardial Infarction
What is cardiac output (CO)?
The amount of blood pumped by the ventricles in 1 minute
What is stroke volume (SV)?
The amount of blood ejected with each contraction
What is the normal cardiac output?
4 - 8 L/min.
What are some non-modifiable risk factors for Cardiovascular Disease?
Heredity (Race, Family History), Age, and Gender
What are some modifiable risk factors for Cardiovascular Disease?
Elevated serum lipid level Hypertension Cigarette smoking Diabetes Obesity Sedentary Lifestyle
What are non-traditional risk factors for Cardiovascular Disease?
Metabolic Syndrome- central obesity, increased triglycerides, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and elevated fasting glucose
C-Reactive Protein at High Levels
Elevated Homocysteine Level- Homocysteine is an amino acid that has been shown to be increased in many people with atherosclerosis
What are three major alterations in cardiovascular function?
Cardiac Output
Impaired Tissue Perfusion
Disorders that affect the composition or amount of blood available for transport of gases
How does Myocardial Infarction decrease cardiac output?
If a large portion of the heart muscle is affected, particularly in the left ventricle, the affected muscle no longer contracts correctly.
What are signs and symptoms of MI?
Chest pain: substernal and/or radiating to the left arm, jaw
Nausea
Shortness of Breath
Diaphoresis
How does Heart Failure decrease cardiac output?
Irregular heartbeats:
- Rapid beats doesn’t allow ventricles may not fill adequately between beats so stroke volume falls
- Slow heart beat doesn’t have enough force to increase stroke volume to maintain cardiac output
What can left-sided heart failure cause?
The vessels of the pulmonary system become congested, causing fluid to escape into the alveoli and interfere with gas exchange, which is pulmonary edema
What are signs and symptoms of Heart Failure?
Pulmonary Congestion: adventitious lung sounds Shortness of Breath Dyspnea on Exertion Increased Heart Rate S3 Heart Sound Increased Respiratory Rate Nocturia Orthopnea Distended Neck Veins Pitting Edema
What are some causes of impaired tissue perfusion?
Atherosclerosis is the most common
What are signs of impaired peripheral arterial circulation in the legs and feet?
decreased peripheral pulse pain or paresthesias pale skin color cool extremities decreased hair distribution
What are some examples of blood alterations that causes impaired cardiac output?
- Inadequate RBCs
- Low Hemoglobin
- Abnormal Hemoglobin Structure (ex. Sickle Cell Anemia)