The Heart & Circulatory System Flashcards
Describe Pulmonary Circulation
Vena Cavae > Right Atrium > Right Ventricle > Pulmonary Arteries > Lungs > Pulmonary Veins
Describe Systemic Circulation
Pulmonary Veins > Left Atrium > Left Ventricle > Aorta
Which valve prevents back flow of blood between the right atrium and ventricle?
Tricuspid Valve
Which semi-lunar valve separates the right ventricle and the pulmonary arteries?
Pulmonary Valve
Which valve prevents back flow of blood between the left atrium and ventricle?
Bicuspid/Mitral Valve
Which semi-lunar valve separates the left ventricle and the Aorta
Aortic Valve
What is Stenosis?
A hardening and narrowing of a heart valve which causes the heart to work harder
What structure protects the heart?
The Sternum
What are the main two Coronary Arteries?
The Left and Right Coronary Arteries
Which Left Artery goes around the left of the heart to supply the Left Atrium?
Left Circumflex Artery
Which Left Artery goes down the front of the heart to the walls of the Left Ventricle?
Left Anterior Descending Artery
The Right Coronary Artery supplies which part of the heart?
Right side
Which Arteries supply the bottom of the heart and the Septum?
Right Coronary Artery & Posterior Descending Artery
How much anaerobic capacity does the Myocardium have?
None
Why does better fitness improve Coronary blood flow?
Because the lower heart rate means the heart spends more time in diastole which allows the blood to flow more easily
What is Cardia Output (Q)?
The amount of blood ejected per minute from the Left Ventricle
Q = Stroke Volume (SV) x HR
Which Lipoprotein is the “bad fat” and why?
Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), because it transports fats to the peripherals enabling it to build up in blood vessels
Which Lipoprotein is the “good fat” and why?
High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), because it transports fats back to the Liver
Which are the two main causes of Coronary Heart Disease?
Arteriosclerosis & Atherosclerosis
Describe Arteriosclerosis
Degeneration of arterial walls that leads to hardening & loss of elasticity
What is Arteriosclerosis associated with?
Age
Describe Atherosclerosis
A narrowing of arterial walls due to a build up of lipid and calcium deposits
What are the risk factors for CHD?
Diagnosed Hypertension Elevated Total Cholesterol (>240mg/dl) High LDL ratio Smoker Age Sedentary lifestyle Overweight/Obese Stress Type 2 Diabetes Family History HRT
What is the recommendation for exercise for people with CHD from the ACSM?
aerobic exercise 20-30mins 3-5 days
What are the symptoms of CHD?
Angina Unexplained pain Previous Heart Attack Congestive Heart Failure Arrhythmia Dizziness Peripheral Vascular Disease
What is classed as Low Blood Pressure?
What is classed as Normal Blood Pressure?
90-120 systolic over 60-80 diastolic
What is classed as High Blood Pressure?
Pre-high 120-140/80-90
Hypertension >140 systolic or > 90 diastolic
How does Blood Pressure change during exercise?
Systolic will rise
Diastolic remains largely unchanged
How can you reduce the risk of CHD?
Increasing physical activity levels Controlling body weight Giving up smoking Eating a diet low in saturated fats Managing stress levels
When should you stop exercise due to Blood Pressure?
If there is a significant drop in Systolic BP
Systolic does not rise
Excessive BP rise 260 Systolic or 115 Diastolic
What can affect BP?
Hydration Food Contraceptive Pill Pregnancy Age
How should you manage BP
Avoid heavy resistance training Improve body composition Limit salt intake Stop smoking Release stress
What can Beta Blockers cause?
Lower HR&BP at rest and during exercise
What can Vasodilators cause?
Relax blood vessels, can cause a rapid HR and low BP during exercise
What can Alpha Blockers cause?
Relax blood vessels, doesn’t affect HR
What can Diuretics cause?
Can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances
What can Bronchodilators cause?
Increase HR and give shakes
What can Antihistamines cause?
Drowsiness
What is the role of Baroreceptors?
Monitor BP and cause a reflex reaction to it
What are examples of Chemoreceptors?
Caffeine Stress Exercise Smoking Cardiac Output Peripheral Resistance Medication
Describe the Valsalva Effect
Forcible exhalation against a closed airway
Chest pressure rises>BP rises>Impedes Venous Return>Cardiac Output decreases>BP falls>HR rises to counteract
Why is the Valsalva Effect dangerous in people with high BP?
It can cause a heart attack
What are the short term effects of CV training?
Increased heart rate Increased release of adrenaline Increase stroke volume Increased cardiac output Increased venous return Oxygen level in the blood decreased Systolic blood pressure increases Diastolic blood pressure remains stable or rises slightly Increased respiratory rate Vasoconstriction and vasodilation of blood vessels to divert blood to working muscles and away from other organs
What are the long term effects of CV training on the lungs?
Increased capillarisation
Increased use of dead space (residual volume)
Increased tidal volume
Better oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange
What are the long term effects of CV training on the heart?
Increased stroke volume
Increased blood volume
Decreased heart rate at rest and for any given exercise intensity
Increased cardiac output
Better cardiac blood supply, hypertrophy of cardiac muscle (especially the left ventricle)
What are the long term effects of CV training on the Blood & Circulation?
Increased blood volume
Increased red blood cell count
Increased haemoglobin content
Increased tone in smooth muscles of artery walls
More efficient circulation
Diastolic blood pressure may lower
The time for diastole is increased improving coronary blood flow
For those with mild hypertension, resting and exercise blood pressures can be reduced by up to 10mmhg with endurance CV activities
What are the long term effects of CV training on the muscles?
Increased capillarisation
Increased mitochondria size
Increased number of mitochondria
Increased aerobic/anaerobic enzymes
What are the potential health benefits of CV training?
Improvements in everyday function, such as walking, stair climbing, shopping
Increased bone density in specific areas of the skeleton placed under load (particularly from high-impact exercise)
Decreased risk of CHD and other chronic degenerative conditions
Modest reductions in high blood pressure
Improved blood cholesterol profile
Reduction of body fat or maintenance of body fat levels within a healthy range
What are the potential risks of CV training?
Increased risk of injury (muscle strains, joint injuries, joint degeneration, connective tissue damage, muscle imbalances – for example, tight hamstrings in cyclists)
Increased workload on the heart – which for some is dangerous
Increased amount of carbon dioxide production
Increased amount of lactic acid production
Decreases in body fat to below recommended levels in some athletes
