Week 4 - Cardiovascular System Flashcards
Explain the route of blood flow through the heart (oxygen-poor blood)
- Superior Vena Cava and/or
- Inferior Vena Cava
- Right Atrium
- Tricuspid Valve
- Right Ventricle
- Pulmonary Valve
- Pulmonary Arteries
Explain the route of blood flow through the heart (oxygen-rich blood)
- Pulmonary veins
- Left Atrium
- Mitral Valve
- Left Ventricle
- Aortic Valve
- Aorta
Define Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
A collective term for a group of disorders that affect the heart and blood vessels
What are Non-Modifiable Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
- Increasing age
- Gender - Men
- Cultural background
- Family history of CVD
What is Hypertension
- High blood pressure is when the force of the blood pushing against the arterial walls is consistently high.
- Arteries can become damaged and lead to serious complications (MI/stroke)
What are Modifiable Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
- Smoking
- Elevated blood lipids (fatty acids)
- Hypertension
- Physical inactivity
- Not being a healthy weight
- Alcohol
What is Coronary Heart Disease
The majority of cases of CHD are initiated by the presence of an atheromatous plaque in a coronary artery causing:
- Haemorrhage into the plaque causing it to swell and restrict the lumen of the artery
- Contraction of smooth muscle within the artery wall, causing further constriction of the lumen
- Thrombus formation on the surface of the plaque, which may cause partial or complete obstruction of the lumen of the artery or distal embolism
Define Angina
Angina is chest pain that results when there is insufficient blood and oxygen supply to the heart due to the narrowing of the heart vessels
What are the Risk Factors of Hypertension
- Atherosclerosis
- Diet- salty, fatty foods, processed foods
- Tobacco/ETOH usage
- Physical inactivity/sedentary lifestyle
- Obesity
What is Acute Coronary Syndrome
(ACS)
- When ischaemia is prolonged and not immediately reversible, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) develops and encompasses fields of unstable angina
- The once-stable plaque ruptures, exposing and entering into the blood and stimulating platelet aggregation and local vasoconstriction with thrombus formation
What is Stable Angina
Occurs when the heart is working harder than usual for example during exercise.
What is Unstable Angina
Occurs when at rest and follows an irregular pattern.
What is Variant Angina?
Occurs at rest without any underlying coronary artery disease.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Angina
- Pain in your chest, arms, neck, jaw, shoulders, epigastrium and back
- SOB
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Sweating
What is Myocardial Infarction
A myocardial infarction (MI) occurs from sustained ischaemia causing
necrosis
What is Arrhythmia
- A condition where the heart beats abnormally
- Irregular heartbeat
- Rapid or slow
