Ch. 8: Cardiovascular System

arteries

blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart

capillaries

microscopic vessel through which exchanges take place between the blood and cells of the body

veins

blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart

sinoatrial node (SA node)

pacemaker of the heart that controls the heart beat

atrioventricular node (AV node)

specialized tissue in the wall between the atria

bundle of his

a bundle of modified heart muscle that transmits the cardiac impulse from the atrioventricular node to the ventricles causing them to contract

purkinje fibers

fibers in the ventricles that transmit impulses to the right and left ventricles, causing them to contract

blood pressure

the pressure that is exerted by the blood against the arterial walls of blood vessels during the 2 phases of a heartbeat

systolic blood pressure

the pressure created in the arteries when the left ventricle contracts and forces blood out into circulation

contraction phase

maximum force

higher BP number

diastolic blood pressure

the pressure in the arteries when the left ventricle is refilling

relaxation phase

lower BP number

pulmonary circulation

flow of blood from the heart to the lungs, where CO2 is exchanged for O2, and back to the heart

systemic circulation

delivers blood to body tissues, where O2 is exchanged for CO2

pericardium

membranous sac enclosing the heart

endocardium

inner lining of the heart

myocardium

muscular, middle layer of the heart

epicardium

outer layer of the heart

right atrium

receives blood from the body

left atrium

receives oxygenated blood from the lungs

right ventricle

pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs

left ventricle

pumps oxygenated blood to the body

regurgitation

backflow

the abnormal backward flow of blood, occurring when a heart valve doesn't close tightly enough, allowing blood to leak back into the chamber it came from instead of moving forward through the circulatory system

vasoconstriction

narrowing of lumen (the space inside blood vessels)

vasodilation

widening of lumen (the space inside blood vessels)

viscosity

a liquid's resistance to flow

arteriosclerosis

thickened and brittle arterial walls

buildup of plaque-like substance composed of cholesterol, lipids, and cellular debris

artherosclerosis

hardening of the arteries

coronary artery disease

atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries that reduces the blood supply to the heart muscle

causes inadequate blood supply to the heart, because there is not enough room for blood to flow

infarct

area of necrosis (the death of body tissue) from no blood flow

myocardial infarction

heart attack

endocarditis

inflammation of the inner lining of the heart and valves

heart valve cannot function properly

varicose veins

enlarged, engorged veins

valves of veins are not functioning properly

aneurysm

a localized weak spot or balloon-like enlargement of the wall of an artery

medical emergency!

aortic aneurysm

bulging or swelling of the aorta

cardiomyopathy

disease or weakening of the heart muscle

many (4) different types!

hypertension

high blood pressure

essential hypertension

elevated blood pressure of unknown cause that develops for no apparent reason; sometimes called primary hypertension

example: family history of hypertension

secondary hypertension

high blood pressure caused by the effects of another disease

has an identifiable cause; once the cause is fixed, blood pressure should return to normal

example: high blood pressure as a result of pregnancy. once you are no longer pregnant, blood pressure should return to normal

bruit

sound heard from vibration associated with movement of blood

diaphoresis

profuse sweating

malaise

uneasy feeling of body weakness, distress, or discomfort

patent

open and unblocked

prophylaxis

preventative measure in an attempt to prevent something from happening

palpitation

sensation that the heart is beating extremely fast, hard, or out-of-the-chest

perfusion

circulation of blood through vessels

angina

chest pain caused by coronary arteries

syncope

partial or complete loss of consciousness due to a decreased blood supply to the brain

electrocardiogram

records the spread of electrical excitation to different parts of the heart

stress test

EKG taken under controlled exercise or stress conditions; sees how well the heart can function under stress

coronary angiography

records a radiographic image of the inside of a blood vessel after injection of contrast

echocardiogram

ultrasound of the heart, valves, and chambers

magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)

MRI of blood vessels that is used to examine the blood vessels

cardiac catheterization

thin, flexible tube is guided into the heart via a vein or an artery

comprehensive evaluation

cardiac ablation

heat or cryo used to intentionally cause scarring

used to correct an arrythmia

angioplasty

reopens narrowed blood vessel to restore flow

percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

balloon catheter is used to open a partially blocked coronary artery

coronary artery bypass graft

placement of a vessel graft to bypass blocked artery