CCMA training notes: Cardiovascular system and Blood

What is the primary function of the cardiovascular system?

To transport blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen + nutrients to tissues and removing waste products.

What are arteries responsible for?

Carrying blood away from the heart.

What type of blood do pulmonary arteries carry?

Oxygen-poor blood.

What is the largest artery in the body?

The aorta.

What do veins do?

Carry blood to the heart.

What type of blood do pulmonary veins carry?

Oxygen-rich blood.

What is a major function of veins?

To minimize back flow of blood using valves.

What are arterioles?

Small blood vessels that branch off from arteries and deliver blood to capillaries.

What role do capillaries serve in the vascular system?

They link the arterial and venous systems, facilitating nutrient and gas exchange.

What are venules?

Small blood vessels that connect capillaries to veins.

What is the heart often referred to as?

The pump of the cardiovascular system.

What is the pericardium?

A double-walled sac that encloses and protects the heart.

What are the 3 muscular layers of the heart?

1. Epicardium

2. Myocardium

3. Endocardium.

How many chambers does the heart have?

4 chambers.

What are the names of the heart's upper chambers?

Atria consisting of the left atrium + right atrium.

What are the names of the heart's lower chambers?

Ventricles including the left ventricle + right ventricle.

What is the function of the aorta?

To carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the body.

What do the superior and inferior venae cavae do?

Bring oxygen-poor blood from the body back to the heart.

What is the role of the sinoatrial node?

Acts as the heart's natural pacemaker, generating electrical impulses.

What does the atrioventricular node do?

Relays electrical impulses from the atria to the ventricles.

What is the Bundle of His?

A pathway that conducts impulses down to the ventricles.

What are Purkinje fibers responsible for?

Conducting electrical impulses throughout the ventricles, causing contraction.

What is coronary circulation?

The flow of blood to and from the tissues of the heart.

What condition does congestive heart failure (CHF) describe?

The heart's inability to pump out all received blood, causing congestion.

What is a myocardial infarction?

A heart attack caused by blockage of one or more coronary arteries.

What is the function of hemoglobin?

It carries oxygen in red blood cells.

What is plasma?

The liquid component of blood that transports nutrients, hormones, and waste.

What are leukocytes?

White blood cells involved in the immune response.

What role do thrombocytes (platelets) play in blood?

They are important for blood clotting because they help prevent excessive bleeding by forming clots at injury sites.

What describes hypertension?

Abnormally high blood pressure.

What is hypotension?

Abnormally low blood pressure.

What is vasculitis?

An inflammation of blood vessels.

What does an aneurysm refer to?

A weak spot in an artery that can balloon and potentially rupture.

What is atherosclerosis?

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

What is the most common type of blood cancer?

Leukemia.

What is angina?

Chest pain due to inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle.

What happens during cardiac arrest?

The heart abruptly stops beating.

What is arrhythmia?

An irregular heartbeat.

What condition is thrombophlebitis?

Inflammation of a vein with clot formation.

What is hemophilia?

A genetic disorder affecting blood clotting that leads to prolonged bleeding due to a deficiency in specific clotting factors.

What are the symptoms of Raynaud’s disease?

Cold or stress-induced discoloration of fingers + toes as well as possibly pain, numbness, and tingling. 

What does the term 'bradycardia' refer to?

An abnormally slow heart rate.

What does 'tachycardia' mean?

An abnormally fast heart rate.

What is peripheral vascular disease?

Disorder of blood vessels located outside of the heart and brain often causing reduced blood flow to the extremities, leading to symptoms like pain, cramping, and sores. .

What is the function of the systemic circulation?

To circulate oxygenated blood throughout the body.

What does cardiac cycle refer to?

The sequence of contraction and relaxation of the heart.

What is the role of venous valves?

To prevent backflow of blood in the veins.

What does ischemia indicate?

Insufficient blood supply to an organ.

What is the main cause of myocardial ischemia?

Inadequate blood supply to the heart muscle.

What is HIV-related cardiac condition?

Potential complications affecting cardiac activity in HIV patients possibly including myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, and pericardial effusion.

What is the definition of thrombosis?

A blood clot forming in a blood vessel.

What is an embolism?

A blockage in a blood vessel caused by a clot or foreign material.

What genetic disorder causes excess iron accumulation in the body resulting in harmful levels of iron deposits in various organs?

Hemochromatosis

What do neutrophils do?

They respond to infections as well as play key part of the immune system by engulfing and destroying pathogens.

What does the term 'anemia' denote?

A deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood leading to reduced oxygen transport, often resulting in fatigue and weakness.

What are the common sites for venous thrombosis?

Deep veins of the legs.

What role do capillaries play in the circulatory system?

Facilitating nutrient and gas exchange between the blood and tissues at the cellular level, while removing waste products.