Cardiology: Heart Structure, Function, and Common Conditions

What is the primary function of the heart?

To deliver oxygen and nutrients and remove waste products.

What type of blood does the right side of the heart handle?

Deoxygenated blood.

What type of blood does the left side of the heart handle?

Oxygenated blood.

How many chambers does the heart have?

Four chambers.

What are the two upper chambers of the heart called?

Atria.

What are the two lower chambers of the heart called?

Ventricles.

What is the role of the right atrium?

Receives deoxygenated blood from the body via the superior and inferior vena cava.

What is the role of the left atrium?

Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs via pulmonary veins.

What are the wall layers of the heart?

(inner most) Endocardium, myocardium, epicardium (outer most)

What is the pericardium?

The two-layered membrane that covers and holds the heart.

What are the layers of the pericardium?

Serous pericardium (parietal and visceral)

Fibrous pericardium

What is the pericardial cavity?

The space between the parietal and visceral layers of the serous pericardium, filled with pericardial fluid.

What is the positioning of the heart

• Broad base (points to the posterior right side)

• Blunt apex (points to the anterior left side)

What is the atrioventricular valve on the right called?

Tricuspid valve

What is the atrioventricular valve on the left called?

Mitral valve (bicuspid in USA)

What is the cardiac cycle?

The sequence of events that make up a heartbeat.

What is the normal heart rate range?

60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm).

What is systole?

The phase when a chamber contracts and forces blood out.

What is diastole?

The phase when a chamber relaxes and fills with blood.

What does blood pressure measure?

The force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries.

What is systolic pressure?

The pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts

What is diastolic pressure?

The pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes between beats.

What are the two audible heart sounds?

S1 (lub) and S2 (dub).

What causes the S1 heart sound?

The closing of the atrioventricular valves.

What causes the S2 heart sound?

The closing of the semilunar valves.

What is an electrocardiogram (ECG)?

A recording of the electrical activity of the heart.

What does the P wave in an ECG represent?

Atrial contraction. (PAC)

What does the QRS complex in an ECG represent?

Ventricular contraction.

What does the T wave in an ECG represent?

Ventricular relaxation (VR is Tea)

What are arteries responsible for?

Carrying blood away from the heart to other organs.

What are capillaries known as?

Exchange vessels between blood and tissues.

What is the function of veins?

To carry blood back to the heart.

What occurs during capillary exchange?

Oxygen and nutrients are delivered

Carbon dioxide and waste are removed

Hormones and plasma components are exchanged

What is the largest artery in the body?

The Aorta

From which part of the heart does the aorta arise?

Left ventricle

What do the right and left coronary arteries supply?

The heart

Which arteries supply the head and neck?

Common carotid arteries

What do the common carotid arteries divide into?

Internal and external carotids

Where do subclavian arteries go?

Heart

What is the 'circle of Willis'?

An arterial circle that provides a safety mechanism for blood supply to the brain.

Which arteries arise from the circle of Willis?

Anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries

What areas do the middle cerebral arteries supply?

Areas critical for speech, language, and hearing

Branches of which arteries make up the circle of willis?

Internal carotid arteries and vertebral arteries

What do the vertebral arteries supply?

Back (posterior) part of the brain including the brainstem and cerebellum

What is the pathway of blood drainage from the brain to the heart?

Dural sinuses -> Internal jugular vein -> Subclavian vein -> Brachiocephalic veins -> Superior vena cava -> Right atrium

What are the categories of heart conditions?

Congenital, structural, rhythm/electrical function, coronary/ischaemic, myocardial, pericardial, vascular/circulatory

How does a hole in the heart happen?

Everyone has a hole between the chambers of the heart during embryotic development but this usually this closes soon after birth. In 1-2% of people it doesn't close -> hole in heart. Can be between ventricles or atria.

What are common symptoms of congenital heart conditions?

Shortness of breath, poor feeding, irregular heartbeats, slow growth.

What is Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)?

A condition where the left ventricle does not develop properly.

Mitral valve is often closed or very small.

What is the first stage of treatment for HLHS?

Norwood procedure- Trunk of pulmonary artery is attached to aorta

What should SLTs look out for post norwood procedure?

Since the vagus nerve looks under aorta, it sometimes gets clipped in surgery, meaning patient cannot produce voice post-surgery

What is atrial fibrillation?

A type of arrhythmias characterised by an abnormal heart rhythm characterized by uncoordinated electrical control of the heart.

What is Ischaemic Heart Disease?

A group of disorders characterized by inadequate coronary blood supply to meet the heart muscle's demands.

What is Angina?

Chest pain due to the myocardium not getting enough oxygen.

What is a myocardial infarction?

A heart attack caused by complete blockage of blood flow.

What cardiovascular changes occur with aging?

Decreased number of autorhythmic cells, thickening of heart valves, arterial stiffness.

Left ventricle most affected

What cardiovascular dysfunction may be evident in Parkinson's?

Autonomic dysfunction- especially the sympathetic pathways that regulate blood pressure and heart rate

What cardiovascular symptoms may accompany PD?

• Orthostatic hypotension: drop in blood pressure when standing up

  • PD medication can make it worse

• Reduced heart rate variability/adjustment 

• Supine hypertension: high blood pressure when lying down

• Increased risk of arrhythmias

Why might a heart condition cause vomitting?

• Reduced blood flow to the stomach and gut → makes you feel sick

• Overactivation of vagus nerve

• Causing pain or stress that also makes you vomit

• Some heart medications can cause nausea

 

What is the National Early Warning Score (NEWS)?

A tool used to identify deteriorating patients.