Cardiology Flashcards

Flashcards for cardiology review, covering key terms and definitions from the lecture notes.

Cardiology

The study of the cardiovascular system, including the heart and blood vessels.

Cardiovascular System

Includes blood vessels (arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, veins), the heart, and blood; it brings oxygen, nutrients, water, and other substances to the body's cells and carries waste products away.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

Arterioles

Smaller arteries that move blood to capillaries and are involved in maintaining blood pressure.

Capillaries

Blood vessels that allow for the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, waste products, and other substances between blood and tissues.

Venules

Vessels that collect blood from capillaries and begin the return journey to the heart.

Veins

Blood vessels that collect blood from venules and return blood to the heart.

Atria

The upper chambers of the heart.

Ventricles

The lower chambers of the heart.

Septum

Thick muscular wall that divides the heart into right and left sections.

Endocardium

The innermost layer of the heart wall.

Myocardium

The muscular middle layer of the heart wall.

Epicardium

The outermost layer of the heart wall (visceral pericardium).

Atrioventricular (AV) Valves

Valves that, when closed, prevent backflow of blood into the atrium.

Semilunar (SL) Valves

Valves that allow blood to flow out of the heart and prevent backflow of blood into ventricles.

Diastole

The relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle.

Systole

The contraction phase of the cardiac cycle when blood is pumped out of the heart.

Pulmonary Circulation

Deoxygenated blood is pumped from the right side of the heart to the lungs, where gas exchange occurs, and oxygenated blood returns to the heart.

Systemic Circulation

Oxygenated blood is pumped from the left side of the heart and moves through the body, delivering oxygen, nutrients, and other substances to cells while picking up waste products.

Coronary Arteries

The right and left coronary arteries are the first branches off the ascending aorta, bringing nutrients and oxygen to heart tissue and maintaining the myocardium.

Hepatic Portal Circulation

Veins from the spleen, gallbladder, stomach, and intestines dump blood into the hepatic portal vein, which takes blood to the liver, where it's filtered, and substances are metabolized or broken down.

Plasma

The liquid portion of blood, composing 55% of blood, containing 90% water plus albumin, globulins, clotting factors, complement, inorganic substances and electrolytes, organic substances, and waste products.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells (RBCs) that transport oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the body.

Leukocytes

White blood cells (WBCs) that protect the body from invading pathogens; include granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils) and agranulocytes (monocytes, lymphocytes).

Thrombocytes

Platelets that aid in coagulation.

Sinoatrial (SA) Node

A part of the heart's conduction system.

Atrioventricular (AV) Node

A part of the heart's conduction system.

Bundle of His

Also called AV bundle; a part of the heart's conduction system.

Purkinje Fibers

A part of the heart's conduction system.

Blood Pressure (BP)

The resulting force of blood against the walls of arteries.

Systole (BP)

Measured when the heart is contracting and pumping out blood.

Diastole (BP)

The relaxation phase of measuring blood pressure.

Angina Pectoris

Chest pain, a symptom of cardiovascular disorder.

Tachycardia

Heartbeat faster than 100 bpm, a symptom of cardiovascular disorder.

Bradycardia

Heartbeat slower than 60 bpm, a symptom of cardiovascular disorder.

Arrhythmia

Abnormal heart rate or rhythm.

Cardiomyopathy

Abnormal heart muscle that can be thin and weakened, enlarged and thick, or rigid.

Congestive Heart Failure

Inefficient pumping of blood.

Myocardial Infarction

Heart Attack.

Atherosclerosis

A blood vessel disease.

Hypertension

High blood pressure.

Hypotension

Low blood pressure.

Anemia

Occurs when blood does not have enough healthy RBCs or hemoglobin.

Leukemia

Cancer of WBCs.

Angiography

Used to study blood vessels and to detect occlusions, aneurysms, and structural defects.

Echocardiography

Sonographic test that uses sound waves to create pictures of heart structure.

Antiarrhythmics

Medication for patients with cardiovascular disorders.

Anticoagulants

Medication for patients with cardiovascular disorders.

Hematopoietics

Medication for patients with cardiovascular disorders.