Cardiovascular Physiology Practice Flashcards

A collection of 120 flashcards covering vocabulary and key terms related to cardiovascular physiology.

Cardiovascular System

Composed of the heart, blood vessels, and blood; responsible for transporting materials throughout the body.

Coronary Arteries

Blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle.

Pressure Gradient

The difference in pressure that drives blood flow from an area of higher pressure to an area of lower pressure.

Stroke Volume

The volume of blood pumped by one ventricle during a contraction.

Ejection Fraction

The percentage of end-diastolic volume (EDV) that is ejected with each contraction.

End-Diastolic Volume (EDV)

The maximum volume of blood in the ventricle at the end of filling.

End-Systolic Volume (ESV)

The volume of blood remaining in the ventricle after contraction.

Systole

The phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle contracts.

Diastole

The phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle relaxes.

Atrioventricular (AV) Valve

Valves that prevent backflow of blood from the ventricles to the atria.

Semilunar Valve

Valves that control blood flow from the ventricles to the arteries.

Frank-Starling Law

The principle that the force of contraction of the heart increases with the volume of blood filling the heart.

Autonomic Nervous System

Divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, it regulates heart rate.

Myocardium

The muscular tissue of the heart.

Autorhythmic Cells

Specialized cells in the heart that generate spontaneous action potentials and regulate heart rhythm.

Gap Junctions

Intercellular connections that allow electrical impulses to pass quickly from one myocardial cell to another.

Cardiac Output

The total volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute (heart rate x stroke volume).

Velocity of Flow

The speed at which blood flows through a given point in the circulatory system.

Viscosity

The thickness or resistance of a fluid to flow; a factor affecting blood flow.

Vasodilation

The widening of blood vessels, which decreases blood pressure.

Vasoconstriction

The narrowing of blood vessels, which increases blood pressure.

Tetanus in Cardiac Muscle

Unlike skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle cannot undergo tetanus due to the long refractory period.

ECG (Electrocardiogram)

A recording of the electrical activity of the heart.

P Wave

The wave on an ECG that represents atrial depolarization.

QRS Complex

The wave on an ECG that represents ventricular depolarization.

T Wave

The wave on an ECG that represents ventricular repolarization.

Cardiac Cycle

The sequence of events in one heartbeat, including contraction and relaxation of the heart chambers.

Intercalated Disks

Specialized cell connections in cardiac muscle that contain gap junctions and desmosomes.

Pulmonary Circulation

The route taken by blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs and back to the left side.

Systemic Circulation

The route taken by blood from the left side of the heart to the body's tissues and back to the right side.

Atheroma

Plaque buildup in arteries that can restrict blood flow.

Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)

Damage to the heart muscle caused by a lack of blood flow, often due to blockage of coronary arteries.

Pulse Pressure

The difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Hydrostatic Pressure

The pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium due to gravity.

Driving Pressure

The pressure created by the heart that propels blood through the circulatory system.

Cardiac Glycosides

A class of medications that increase the force of heart contractions.

Negative Inotropic Effect

A decrease in the strength of contraction; often caused by certain medications.

Positive Inotropic Effect

An increase in the strength of contraction; induced by catecholamines like epinephrine.

Aortic Stenosis

Narrowing of the aortic valve that obstructs blood flow from the heart.

Cyanosis

A bluish discoloration of the skin due to insufficient oxygen in the blood.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

A structured program designed to improve the health and well-being of individuals with heart disease.

Skeletal Muscle Pump

The mechanism by which skeletal muscle contraction aids venous return to the heart.

Respiratory Pump

The pressure changes in the thoracic cavity during breathing that assist in venous return.

Leading Edge Pump Theory

The hypothesis that ventricle contracts to push blood through the aorta.

Vagal Tone

The activity of the vagus nerve that slows the heart rate.

Cardiac Reserve

The difference between resting and maximal cardiac output.

Ischemia

Insufficient blood flow to an organ or body part, particularly the heart.

Valvular Stenosis

Narrowing of a heart valve that impedes blood flow.

Cardiovascular Drift

Increases in heart rate paired with decreases in stroke volume during prolonged exercise.

B1-Adrenergic Receptors

Receptors in the heart that respond to norepinephrine to increase heart rate and contractility.

Cholesterol Management

Treatment of high cholesterol to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Cardiac Arrhythmia

An irregular heartbeat that can lead to various complications.

Troponin Levels

Protein levels in the blood that indicate heart muscle damage.

Antihypertensive Medication

Drugs that help lower high blood pressure to reduce the risk of cardiac events.

Endothelium

The thin layer of cells lining blood vessels, crucial for vascular health.

C reactive protein (CRP)

A marker for inflammation that can indicate a higher risk of heart disease.

Subacute Valvular Infection

An infection of the heart valves that can lead to complications.

Cardiac Imaging

Technologies used to visualize the heart and assess its function.

Coronary Angiogram

An imaging test that uses dye and X-rays to see how blood flows through the heart.

Peripheral Resistance

The resistance of the arteries to blood flow.

Microcirculation

The circulation of blood in the smallest blood vessels.

Oxygen Delivery

The process of supplying oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the tissues.

Vasodilators

Medications that dilate blood vessels to increase blood flow.

Hemodynamics

The study of blood flow or the circulation.

Cardiac Tissue Engineering

The application of tissue engineering principles to repair or replace heart tissue.

Pulmonary Hypertension

Increased blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries.

Coronary Bypass Surgery

A surgical procedure to restore normal blood flow to an obstructed coronary artery.

Vascular Smooth Muscle

Involuntary muscle found within the walls of blood vessels.

Arteriosclerosis

The thickening and hardening of arterial walls.

Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterase (PDE)

An enzyme that modulates the effect of cyclic nucleotides on heart contractility.

Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)

An ultrasound test that provides images of the heart's structure and function.

Vein

Blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart.

Artery

Blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)

A signal protein that stimulates the growth of blood vessels.

Blood Plasma

The liquid component of blood that carries cells and proteins.

Lymphatic System

A network that assists in the drainage of excess fluids from tissues and contributes to immune defense.

Cardiac Output and Exercise

Cardiac output increases during physical activity to meet the metabolic demands of the body.

Heart Failure

The heart's inability to pump effectively, leading to reduced blood flow.

Hydration Status

The balance of fluids within the body, crucial for cardiovascular health.