EMT Cardiology and Circulatory Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering cardiovascular anatomy, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and patient assessment based on EMT lecture notes.

Beta One Receptors

Receptors primarily located in the heart that increase heart rate and contractility.

Beta Two Receptors

Receptors located in the lungs that cause bronchodilation to allow more oxygen and air into the body.

Myocardium

The heart muscle which requires a continuous supply of oxygen and nutrients to efficiently pump blood.

Aerobic Respiration

The breakdown of glucose in the presence of oxygen, typically producing $36-38$ molecules of ATP with byproducts of water and $CO_2$.

Anaerobic Respiration

The breakdown of glucose into energy without oxygen, producing only $2$ molecules of ATP and lactic acid as a byproduct.

Cardiac Output ($CO$)

The volume of blood passing through the heart in one minute, calculated by the equation: $CO = \text{Heart Rate} \times \text{Stroke Volume}$.

Capillaries

Microscopic vessels where gas exchange occurs, allowing oxygen to jump off red blood cells and picking up $CO_2$.

Systolic Blood Pressure

The highest level of pressure within the circulatory system measured during the heart's contraction (systole).

Diastolic Blood Pressure

The pressure in the system at its lowest point when the heart relaxes to refill.

Radial Pulse Blood Pressure Estimate

The general field assumption that if a patient has a strong radial pulse, their systolic blood pressure is typically above $90 \text{ mmHg}$.

Perfusion

The constant flow of oxygenated blood to the tissues.

Ischemia

Decreased blood flow to tissues, specifically heart tissue, which leads to chest pain.

Infarction

Actual cellular death of tissue; in the heart, this is a myocardial infarction (heart attack).

Atherosclerosis

The buildup of plaque inside arteries which narrows the vessel and decreases blood flow.

Thromboembolism

A blood clot floating through the blood vessels that can become lodged and disrupt blood flow.

Angina Pectoris

Chest pain that occurs when the heart's oxygen demand exceeds its supply, typically described as crushing or squeezing pain.

Stable Angina

Chest pain typically triggered by exercise or exertion that is relieved by rest or nitroglycerin.

STEMI

Stands for ST-Elevated Myocardial Infarction, a specific pattern recognized on an EKG indicating a heart attack.

Ventricular Tachycardia ($V \text{-} tach$)

A rapid heart rhythm originating in the ventricles; it is an organized rhythm that may or may not have a pulse.

Ventricular Fibrillation ($V \text{-} fib$)

A disorganized heart rhythm where the ventricles quiver and fire indiscriminately; it never produces a pulse.

Asystole

The absence of all electrical and mechanical activity in the heart, appearing as a flat line on an EKG.

Dependent Edema

Fluid buildup in the extremities, such as big swollen legs, often caused by right-sided heart failure.

Crackles (Rales)

Bubbly lung sounds associated with left-sided heart failure and fluid saturation in the alveoli.

Paroxysmal Dyspnea

A condition in heart failure where patients struggle to breathe while lying flat and must sleep propped up or in a recliner.

Hypertensive Emergency

An acute situation where blood pressure spikes above $180 \text{ mmHg}$ systolic, potentially causing headaches, bounding pulses, or nosebleeds.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm ($AAA$)

A weakening in the aorta in the abdominal area that may present as a palpable pulsatile mass and tearing/ripping back pain.

Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid)

An antiplatelet aggregation agent given in a dose of $324 \text{ mg}$ (four $81 \text{ mg}$ tablets) to prevent clots from growing.

Nitroglycerin

A vasodilator given in $0.4 \text{ mg}$ doses sublingually to decrease heart workload; must not be given if erectile dysfunction meds were used recently.

Four-Lead EKG Placement

Placement of electrodes: White on the right (RA), Black on the left (LA), Red on the left leg (LL), and Green on the right leg (RL).

CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft)

An open-heart surgery where a blood vessel from elsewhere in the body is sewn into the heart to bypass a blocked artery.

LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device)

A mechanical pump that assists or replaces the left ventricle's function; it often produces a constant stream of blood with no palpable pulse.

ROSC

Return of Spontaneous Circulation, occurring when a patient in cardiac arrest regains a heart rate.