CV Function Across the Life Span

These flashcards cover key concepts related to cardiovascular function across the lifespan, including aging effects, congenital heart disease, and relevant definitions.

What is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults in Western society?

Cardiovascular disease.

What are some age-associated physiologic changes in cardiovascular performance?

Myocardial and blood vessel stiffening, changes in neurogenic control over vascular tone, increased occurrence of atrial fibrillation, loss of exercise capacity, left ventricular hypertrophy, and fibrosis.

What can improve cardiovascular health in older adults?

Active risk reduction, physical activity, and disease management.

How prevalent is Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) among live births?

The incidence varies from 0.8% to 1.2%.

What percentage of Congenital Heart Disease cases can be attributed to a specific cause?

Only 15%.

Name some environmental factors associated with Congenital Heart Disease.

Infections, metabolic disorders, drugs, and peripheral conditions.

What advancements have improved the diagnosis and management of Congenital Heart Disease?

Fetal echocardiography, early interventional catheterization, neonatal pulse oximetry pre-discharge screening, and refined surgical repair.

What is the classification of Congenital Heart Disease based on blood flow?

Acyanotic and cyanotic.

What defect results from the failure of the fetal ductus arteriosus to close?

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

What is an atrial septal defect (ASD)?

An opening in the septal wall between the two atria allowing blood to shunt from the left atrium to the right atrium.

What is the significance of the patent foramen ovale (PFO)?

An opening in the atrial septal wall that bypasses the pulmonary circulation in utero.

What is Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)?

An opening in the septal wall between the ventricles, accounting for 10% to 40% of all Congenital Heart Defects.

What are the four defects that comprise Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)?

(1) a large VSD, (2) pulmonic stenosis (PS), (3) an overriding aorta straddling the VSD, and (4) right ventricular hypertrophy.

What is Transposition of the Great Arteries?

A mixing defect in which the great vessels arise from the incorrect ventricles.