The Heart Flashcards
The right and left side of the heart pump blood where?
Left to rest of body
Right to lungs
What are the valves in the heart and where are the found?
Atrioventricular valves - valves between chambers
Semilunar valves - bi/tricuspid valves at bottom of arteries. Aorta/pulmonary artery
Where does aorta transport blood from and to?
From heart to rest of body
Left side of heart
Where does the vena cava transport deoxygenated blood to and from?
From lungs
To the heart
Give the order of blood vessels seen entering/leaving the heart as if looking at a diagram
Vena cava
Pulmonary artery
Aorta
Pulmonary vein
Why is the left ventricle thicker?
Needs to pump blood all around the body
Why do ventricles have thicker walls than atria?
Need to force blood out of heart around body
Atria only force blood short distance
What attaches to valves to hold them in place?
Tendons/cords
Explain how pressure only allows to blood flow in one direction
High pressure before valve forces valves to open
High pressure after valve forces valve to close
Describe the cardiac cycle
Blood enters atria. Cannot pass into ventricles as atrioventricular valves closed
Atria contract - pressure rises and forces valves to open
Blood flows into ventricles- when full, they contract and force semi-lunar valves to open
Blood is ejected into aorta and pulmonary artery
Ventricles are empty. Higher pressure in arteries causes valves to close
Cardiovascular disease usually start with the formation of what?
Atheroma
What is an atheroma?
Build up of Fibrous plaque
How is an atheroma formed?
Damage to endothelium causes build up of white blood cells and lipids
Clump together to form fatty streaks
Build up to form fibrous plaque
Why are atheromas dangerous?
Block lumen of arteries
Restrict blood flow
What is coronary heart disease? What can this lead to?
Coronary arteries contain atheromas
Can lead to myocardial infarction
What is an aneurysm?
Balloon like swelling of an artery
What is thrombosis?
A blood clot
How are aneurysms formed?
Atheroma damages and weakens arteries
Narrows arteries which increases pressure
Pressure forces inner tissues out through elastic layers
What can aneurysms lead to?
Haemorrhage if burst
How is a thrombosis formed?
Atheroma plaque can burst through endothelium lining
Damages the artery and leaves a rough surface
Platelets and proteins accumulate at site of damage to form blood clot
What does thrombosis do?
Can completely block an artery
More blood clots if ruptures and forms another further down artery
What are the symptoms of a myocardial infarction?
Sweating
Shortness of breath
Pain
What causes a myocardial infarction?
Coronary arteries become blocked
Heart muscle cut off from blood supply and receives no oxygen
What factors can contribute to cardiovascular disease? Can be in our control or a genetic predisposition
High blood cholesterol and diet
Smoking
High blood pressure
