Full Cardiovascular Study Guide

Describe 3 functions of the CV System

transport (nutrients, waste, gases hormones), temperature regulation, protection against disease

Translate the word cardiovascular

heart vessels

Describe the relative volume and function of plasma

plasma = 55%, “formed elements” (rbc’s, wbc’s, platelets) = 45%, function of plasma is to carry platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells around the body

Erythrocyte function

aka red blood cells, contain hemoglobin to bind with oxygen and carbon dioxide to be transported throughout the body

Erythrocyte structural modifications

the biconcave shape increase surface area, which allows for increased cell flexibility, more efficient gas exchange, and the carriage of more hemoglobin

Erythrocytes are produced from

stem cells in red bone marrow, called hemocytoblasts

Control of erythrocyte production

hypoxia (low oxygen) disrupts homeostasis, which signals kidney cells to release hormone erythropoietin (EPO), that travels to the red marrow and stimulates RBC production

5. Define hematocrit

ratio of volume of red blood cells to total blood volume

Describe the appearance, relative #s, and functions of neutrophils

deep purple nucleus, 3-7 lobes

phagocytes: specialize in destroying bacteria

40-70% of WBC’s

Describe the appearance, relative #s, and functions of eosinophils

blue-red nucleus, bi-lobed, red granules

kills parasites and increase during allergic reaction

1-4% of WBC’s

Describe the appearance, relative #s, and functions of basophils

bi-lobed nucleus, dark blue, granules stain purple-blue

migrates to injury sites to release histamine (inflammation) and heparin (stops clots)

<1% of WBC’s

Describe the appearance, relative #s, and functions of lymphocytes

large, round dark purple-blue nucleus

produces antibodies

20-45% of WBC’s

Describe the appearance, relative #s, and functions of monocytes

kidney bean shaped nucleus, dark blue-purple, largest WBC

phagocytes: engulf pathogens, dead/infected cells

4.8% of WBC’s

7. Explain why a differential count would be done

it determines the amount of WBCs in the blood, which is crucial in diagnosing and monitoring various immune system-affecting conditions (like leukemia, anemia, etc)

9. Describe the production and function of thrombocytes (platelets)

produced in megakaryocytes (large blood cell whose primary function is this production), primary job is to stop the bleeding when someone is injured

10. Explain the steps of hemostasis

1. Constriction of the blood vessel, 2. Formation of a temporary “platelet plug,” 3. Coagulation/Activation of the coagulation cascade (clotting effects are amplified), 4. Formation of “fibrin plug” or the final clot (stable clot that is eventually replaced with normal tissue during healing)

Define thrombus and embolus and explain why an embolus can be particularly dangerous

Thrombus: stationary clot, Embolus: mobile clot - particularly dangerous because if clots move to the right areas, they can block blood flow to vital organs

Anemia

a condition where the blood has a reduced ability to carry oxygen, usually due to lack of RBCs or hemoglobin

iron deficiency anemia

a condition in which blood lacks healthy adequate blood cells (O2 and hemoglobin are what give color, so super pale RBCs), specifically iron is important for hemoglobin quality/ability

sickle cell anemia

a genetic condition that deforms RBCs into sickle-shaped cells (however, it does protect against malaria)

infectious mononucleosis

a viral infection caused by the epstein-barr virus of the herpes family, enlarges lymphocytes

Leukocytosis

abnormally high white blood cell count (over 11,00/mm^3), caused by a bacterial or viral infection

Leukopenia

abnormally low white blood cell count, caused often by certain drugs (like steroids and anticancer agents) or autoimmune disorders

Leukemia

the unregulated divisions of WBCs, which is dangerous because the newborn cells cannot withstand disease like mature ones

14. Understand blood types and why they are important to know

blood types are important to know because of antibodies: for instance, A and O have anti-b antibodies, while B and O have anti-a antibodies, and any - blood cannot receive from a +

15. Describe the 3 layers of a blood vessel, and name the tissue that makes up each layer

Tunica intima: endothelium (one cell thick) - simple squamous, Tunica media: elastic fibers and smooth muscle, Tunica externa: connective tissue

Artery structure and function

carry oxygenated blood away from the heart – thick layers of externa, media, and the one layer intima

Arteriole structure and function

also carry oxygenated blood away from the heart – thick layers of externa, media, and the one layer intima

Capillary structure and function

gas exchange (O2 to CO2) and connects the oxygenated vessels to deoxygenated – just the media (capillaries are only one cell thick)

Venule structure and function

carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart – a thick layer of externa, very thin media, and the one layer intima

Vein structure and function

also carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart – a thick layer of externa, very thin media, and the one layer intima

17. Describe atherosclerosis

the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the buildup of plaque

Describe aneurysm

weakening of artery wall (allowing it to “balloon” or rupture), most lethal in the aorta or brain

Describe stroke

the death of brain cells due to inadequate blood flow, caused by blood clot or rupture of artery that supplies the brain

18. Describe things that contribute to the formation of atherosclerosis

Genetics: it can be from inherited heart diseases, women are more susceptible, Black Americans’ have had a 30% higher risk than White Americans, older age, inflammatory diseases – Lifestyle: high blood pressure, diabetes, lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet, obesity, smoking (and access to secondhand smoke)

21. Trace the flow of blood through the heart, starting with venous return to the right atrium

Body, superior vena cava, right atrium, tricuspid, right ventricle, pulmonary semilunar valve, pulmonary artery, lungs, pulmonary veins, left atrium, bicuspid, left ventricle, aortic semilunar valve, aorta, body

22. Differentiate pulmonary, systemic and coronary circulation

Pulmonary: circulation of blood between heart and lungs, Systemic: circulation of blood between heart and body, Coronary: circulation of blood to the heart (arteries and veins to the heart muscle)

23. Describe how heart sounds ("lubb-dubb) are generated

Lub: the sound of the atrioventricular valves (tricuspid and bicuspid) closing, Dub: the semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonary) closing

Describe the significance of a murmur

Murmur: abnormal or unusual heart sounds, caused by an interrupted flow, as obstructions make a flow more turbulent & therefore capable of generating sound, which indicates heart valve issues

24. Describe how fetal heart circulation differs from yours

The fetus bypasses most of the blood away from the lungs; the blood is shunted from the pulmonary artery to the aorta through a linked blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus

25. Describe how AV valves function differently from semilunar valves

Semilunar valves don’t need as much strength, as nothing is pushing the blood backwards – Semilunar: three cusps, forced open then flow closed with backflow – AV: prevent backflow into atria, chordae tendineae anchor then to wall, keeps them from going backwards

26. Describe where electricity is generated, and how it is conducted through the heart

The sinus node generates an electrical stimulus; travels through the SA node, Internodal tracts, AV node, AV bundle/bundle of his, purkinje fibers

27. Recognize the different parts of an EKG, and describe what each part tells us about the heart

EKG = Electrocardiogram, P wave: atrial contraction - the impulse travels from the SA node through the atria (depolarization), QRS complex: ventriole contracts - the impulse travels down the AV bundle and through the purkinje fibers, T wave: recovery of the electrical charge in the ventricles (repolarization)

28. Describe systolic and diastolic blood pressure

Systolic: the pressure in the arteries at the peak of ventricular contraction (when the heart is working), Diastolic: pressure when the ventricles are relaxing (when the heart is relaxed)

29. Describe the factors that affect your blood pressure

Controllable: diet, exercise level, obesity, alterable stressors – Uncontrollable: genealogy/hereditary conditions, race, gender, age, unalterable stressors

30. Describe how your body adjusts blood pressure

Baroreceptors respond to changes in blood pressure – To lower blood pressure: vasodilation (widening of blood vessels to lower blood), reduced heart rate – To increase blood pressure: vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels), increased heart rate

31. Describe the normal range for blood pressure

Normal range: 120/80 mmHg

Describe how hypertension is harmful

Hypertension is harmful because it damages the arteries, especially because it can go unnoticed for 10 to 20 years, which allows for gradual deterioration.

Describe how hypertension can be lowered

Hypertension can be lowered through a better diet, weight loss, increased exercise levels, and controlling stress

Infarction

aka a heart attack or coronary, caused by a rapid heart rate and blocked artery that makes blood supply inadequate – lack of oxygen causes chest pain (angina pectoris) that what prolonged form an infarct resulting in myocardial infarction, or death of heart tissue

Congestive Heart Failure

when the pumping efficiency of the heart is reduced, so that circulation is inadequate to meet tissue needs (usually the result of some other underlying condition)

Fibrillation

an arrhythmia (an irregularity of the rate or rhythm of the heart), specific to rapid, irregular, unsynchronized contracts of the heart (can be atrial or ventricular)

Tachycardia

fast heartbeat

Bradycardia

slow heartbeat

3 Things that can increase the force of blood on the blood vessels

1. Properties of fluid (thickness, viscosity), 2. Amount of fluid (volume), 3.vessel diameter (smaller = more pressure)

High blood pressure relationship to atherosclerosis

plaque condenses diameter

What allows blood vessels to handle pressure fluctuations

elastic fibers

What is blood pressure

the pressure blood exerts against the inner walls of the blood vessels (highest close to the heart)

3 things ensure that blood flows back to the heart

1. The valves, 2. The contraction of skeletal muscles, 3. Breathing movement causing pressure changes

Function of the pericardium

protect and anchor the heart