Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems Overview

Flashcards covering key terms, diseases, pathophysiology, and relevant aspects related to the cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurological systems.

Atherosclerosis

Inflammatory process affecting medium/large arteries; endothelial damage allows LDL to enter, forming plaques that narrow vessels and can rupture.

Atheroma

Plaque of fatty material forming within arterial walls.

Hypertension

Chronic high blood pressure that increases strain on arterial walls and risk of stroke or myocardial infarction.

Systolic/Diastolic BP

Peak vs resting arterial pressures; normal blood pressure is approximately 120/80 mmHg.

Coronary Heart Disease

Plaque buildup in coronary arteries leading to reduced myocardial perfusion.

Stroke

An event caused by a blocked (ischaemic) or ruptured (haemorrhagic) blood vessel; FAST signs include Facial droop, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to act.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

Atherosclerotic narrowing of arteries in legs causing intermittent claudication, pallor, reduced pulses, and cold feet.

Peripheral Venous Insufficiency (PVI)

Condition where damaged valves cause pooling of blood, resulting in oedema, varicose veins, and venous ulcers; skin is warm with intact pulses.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Clot in a deep vein characterized by swelling, pain, and warmth, with a risk of pulmonary embolism.

Modifiable Risk Factors

Lifestyle factors that can be changed to reduce cardiovascular disease risk, including smoking, obesity, inactivity, high blood pressure/cholesterol, diabetes, and unhealthy diet.

Non-modifiable Risk Factors

Risk factors that cannot be changed, such as age, genetics, sex, and family history.

Obstructive Lung Disease

Conditions characterized by airflow limitation due to airway narrowing, such as COPD, asthma, and bronchiectasis.

Restrictive Lung Disease

Conditions characterized by reduced lung expansion, such as pulmonary fibrosis and scoliosis.

Ventilation vs Perfusion

Concept distinguishing between air movement and gas exchange at the alveoli.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A progressive condition involving airway inflammation and alveolar destruction leading to dyspnoea, chronic cough, and sputum production.

Asthma

A condition causing reversible airway narrowing due to inflammation, often triggered by allergens, exercise, or cold air.

Pneumonia

An infection causing alveolar inflammation and fluid accumulation, characterized by fever, cough, and breathlessness.

Pneumothorax

A condition where air in the pleural space causes lung collapse, leading to symptoms like sharp chest pain and dyspnoea.

Spirometry

A diagnostic test measuring airflow limitation, with a FEV1/FVC ratio of less than 70% indicating obstructive disease.

Pulse Oximetry

A non-invasive method for measuring oxygen saturation in the blood, with SpO₂ levels below 95% being a concern.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Nerves outside the central nervous system that connect it to the rest of the body.

Autonomic Nervous System

A division of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions, comprising the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident)

A sudden loss of brain function from interrupted blood flow; a CVA is permanent while a TIA is temporary.

Parkinson’s Disease

A neurological condition characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, leading to tremor, rigidity, shuffling gait, and bradykinesia.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

An autoimmune condition resulting in demyelination, causing symptoms like weakness, fatigue, balance issues, and episodes of remission/exacerbation.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome

An autoimmune disorder causing demyelination of the peripheral nervous system, leading to ascending weakness and sensory loss.

Motor Neurone Disease (MND)

A degenerative disease that affects motor neurons, leading to progressive muscle weakness.

Hemiplegic gait

A type of gait occurring after a stroke, characterized by circumduction of the affected leg.

Shuffling gait

A gait often associated with Parkinson’s disease.

Ataxic gait

A gait that results from cerebellar dysfunction or multiple sclerosis.