The Heart Flashcards
1
Q
Where is the Sino Atrial Node (SAN) found?
A
The Right Atrium
2
Q
What is the SAN known as?
A
The heart’s own pacemaker
3
Q
Describe fully how the ventricles in the heart contract
A
- A signal is sent from the SAN to a muscle
- The signal goes across 2 Atriums and they contract simultaneously
- This causes the valves to open and the ventricles begin to fill with blood
- The Atrio Ventricular Node then pauses the electric current and allows blood to completely fill the ventricles
- The current then travels down past the Bundle of His and through the Purkinje fibres
- This allows the contraction of the ventricles
4
Q
Why is Heart Disease dangerous?
A
It produces cholesterol which sticks to the walls of arteries and blocks them
5
Q
What happens if cholesterol blocks the coronary artery?
A
Blood supply to the heart is cut off and parts of the artery die
6
Q
Describe how Stents work
A
- A Catheter is inserted into the femoral artery
- A Stent is positioned in the coronary artery
- A balloon is then inflated
- This keeps the artery pushed open
7
Q
What are the requirements for a Heart Transplant donor?
A
They must be of similar age, size and tissue type
