Cardiovascular Physiology

Auscultation

method of listening to and studying heart sounds during heart activity

Stethoscope

a medical instrument with ear pieces connected to tubes attached to a small disc shapes resonator that is placed against the chest

Heart Murmurs

where one of the heart valves does not function correctly causing blood to move in the wrong direction

1st Heart Sound

lub sound of the heart heard during systole

caused by the closing of the atrioventricular vales, mitral valves, and tricuspid valves

2nd Heart Sound

dub sound of the heart heard during systole

caused by the closure of the semilunar valves, aortic semilunar valve, and pulmonary semilunar valves

higher pitched

3rd Heart Sound

occurs during diastole

lower pitches that is produced by vibrations of the ventricle walls when they fill with blood

4th Heart Sound

occurs during diastole

low intensity sound heard as the atria contract to push blood down the ventricles

Auscultatory Areas

areas on the chest that represent where sounds from each valve can be heard

Blood Pressure

pressure created by the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood into the vessels

if taking this on one arm = take pulse rate on the other arm

Systolic Pressure

pressure in the arteries when ventricles contract

indicator of the force of your heart contraction

Diastolic Pressure

pressure in the arteries when the ventricles relax

indicator of the condition of systemic blood vessels

Pulse Pressure

systolic pressure - diastolic pressure

average is 40

Mean Arterial Pressure

average blood pressure during a cardiac cycle

normal is 70-100 mm Hg

indicator of tissue perfusion and cardiovascular health

Map Equation

diastolic pressure + 1/3 pulse pressure

cardiac output (ml/blood min) x total peripheral resistance (TPR units)

Cardiac Output Equation

stroke volume (ml blood/beat) x heart rate (beats/min)

Cardiac Output

total volume of blood moves by the heart per min

as vessel diameter decreases, resistance increases

as viscosity increases, resistance increases

if CO or resistance increases = increase pressure

Sphygmomanometer

pressure cuff - auscultatory method where pressure is applied indirectly externally

brachial artery used to apply pressure

Palpatory method

palpating the pulse as pressure is applied to an artery with a sphygmomanometer

radial artery is used for systolic pressure and diastolic pressure can’t be measured

Korotkoff Sounds

pressure releases and artery collapses and reopens with every heartbeat and returns blood flow

this pattern creates turbulence which creates this sound

Korotkoff Phase 1

a sharp tapping or thudding sound which may increase in intensity over the next 10 mm Hg drop in pressure

indicates systolic pressure

Korotkoff Phase 4

distinct abrupt muffling of sounds - becomes soft and reduced in intensity

considered first diastolic reading

Korotkoff Phase 5

all sounds disappear - considered second diastolic reading

when taking pressure doctors typically use this one as the diastolic number

Total Peripheral Resistance

amount of force affecting resistance to blood flow through the circulatory system

vasoconstriction of vessels causes an increase in this

vasodilation of vessels causes a decrease in this

TPR Equation

mean arterial pressure (mm Hg) / cardiac output

Estimate TPR Equation

(systolic pressure + (2 x diastolic pressure)/3) / pulse pressure x heart rate

Cold Pressor Test

a normal response to a decrease in temperature is an increase in blood pressure

ex: hypertension patients may rise 40 mm Hg

Venous Insufficiency

caused by low pressure in the veins

blood is not effectively returned to the heart at a desirable rate

solution is the presence of valves

Diving Reflex

a decrease in pulse pressure and increase in blood pressure when the face is submerged in cold water

Bradycardia

lowering of heart rate

in marine animals it results in overall reduction of circulation to all body parts except vital ones like brain and heart

diving bradycardia receptor is in the nose and triggers the trigeminal nerve

Harvard Step Test

measure of cardiovascular health and endurance

tests general capacity of the body to cope with increases physical work and the ability to recover

Fitness Index Equation

(duration of exercise (secs) x 100) / 2 x (sum of 3 pulse counts in recovery)

Tuttle Pulse Ratio

test used to measure the ratio of a persons resting pulse rate to their pulse rate after exercise

S0 Steps Equation

s1 + (s2 - s1)(2.5 - r1) / r2 - r1