Cardiovascular System Overview

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering cardiovascular terminology and blood pressure categories.

Sinoatrial Node

The heart's natural pacemaker that initiates electrical impulses.

Internodal Tracks

Pathways that conduct electrical impulses from the sinoatrial node to the atrioventricular node.

Atrioventricular Node

Serves as a gatekeeper, controlling the electrical signals from the atria to the ventricles.

Bundle of His

Bundle of fibers that conducts electrical impulses from the AV node to the ventricles.

Purkinje Fibers

Fibers that distribute electrical impulses throughout the ventricles, causing contraction.

Normal Blood Pressure Range

Systolic < 120 and Diastolic < 80 mm Hg.

Elevated Blood Pressure Range

Systolic between 120-129 and Diastolic < 80 mm Hg.

Hypertension Stage 1

Systolic between 130-139 or Diastolic between 80-89 mm Hg.

Hypertension Stage 2

Systolic ≥ 140 or Diastolic ≥ 90 mm Hg.

Hypertensive Crisis

Blood pressure readings > 180 and/or > 120 mm Hg.

American Heart Association

A source of guidelines for blood pressure categories.

Diuretics

A class of antihypertensive drugs that promote the removal of sodium and water from the body.

Adrenergic Blockers

Medications that block adrenergic receptors, reducing heart rate and blood pressure.

Vasodilators

Drugs that relax blood vessels, lowering blood pressure.

ACE Inhibitors

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors that help relax blood vessels.

Electrical Impulse

An electrical signal that triggers heart contractions.

Cardiac Conduction System

The system of nodes and fibers that conducts electrical impulses throughout the heart.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The part of the nervous system that increases heart rate and blood pressure.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The part of the nervous system that decreases heart rate and promotes relaxation.

Blood Pressure

The force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels.

Systolic Pressure

The pressure in the arteries during the contraction of the heart.

Diastolic Pressure

The pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats.

Hypertension

Persistently high blood pressure that can lead to health complications.

Antihypertensive Therapy

Treatment aimed at reducing high blood pressure.

Heart Rate

The number of heartbeats per minute.

Cardiac Output

The amount of blood the heart pumps in one minute.

Peripheral Resistance

The resistance of the arteries to blood flow.