Cardiovascular System-MA Course

what are the primary functions of the cardiovascular system

deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues, remove carbon dioxide and waste products, maintain homeostasis and organ function

where is the heart located

in the mediastinum, between the lungs

what are the three layers of the heart?

• epicardium, the outer layer

• myocardium, the muscle of the heart

• endocardium, inner lining

that are the two types of heart chambers

atria which receive blood

ventricles which eject blood

what is the importance of the aorta

it’s the largest aorta in the body and responsible for ensuring oxygen to the entire body

what is the importance of the pulmonary artery

it’s the only artery in the body to carry deoxygenated blood

what is the function of the coronary arteries

carry oxygen and nutrients to the myocardium, provide constant blood flow to the heart, maintain proper function of the atria, ventricles and conduction system

what does the tricuspid value separate

the right atrium and the right ventricle

what does the pulmonary valve separate

right ventricle from the pulmonary artery

what does the mitral valve separate

left atrium from the left ventricle

what does the aortic value separate

the left ventricle from the aorta

describe the flow of blood through the hart

• superior and inferior venae cavae

• right atrium

• tricuspid valve

• right ventricle

• pulmonary valve

• pulmonary artery

• lungs

• pulmonary veins

• left atrium

• mortal valve

• aorta

• body

what is the function of the right atrium

receive blood from the body through the vena cava

function of the right ventricle

pump blood to the lung through the pulmonary artery

function of the left atrium

receive blood from the lungs via the pulmonary vein

function of the left ventricle

pump oxygenated blood to the rest of the body

what are the two system of blood vessels

pulmonary system

systematic system

what are the three types of vessels

arteries- carry oxygenated blood

capillaries- exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide

veins- carry deoxygenated blood

what are arterioles

microscopic vessels branching off from the aorta to tissue capillaries

what are nevus

small veins for blood to exit capillaries

do arieries or veins contain values

veins

what is coronary artery disease

the formation of plaque in artery walls cutting off blood supply to the myocardium causing acute myocardial infarction

what are general signs of an AMI

pain behind the sternum, syncope, shortness of breath, edema, unexplained coughing, fatigue, pain lasting longer then 30 minutes

what are signs of AMI unique to women

pain in the abdomen, neck, shoulder or upper back, shortness of breath, jaw pain, vertigo, sweating, indigestion, extreme fatigue aching in both arms

what is hypertension

thickening of the muscular heart wall

signs of hypertension

malaise, headache, nosebleed, vertigo, nausea and syncope

what is congestive heart failure

the myocardium is unable to pump blood

what is orthostatic hypotension

abrupt decrease in blood pressure from standing up

what is rheumatic heart disease

cardiac inflammation due to untreated streptococcal infection

what are the two types of valvular heart disease

stenosed or incomptent

what is valvular stenosis

the value obstructs the flow of blood

what is valvular incompetence

the value does not completely close

what is mitral valve prolapse

the value between the left atrium and ventricle not closing properly, causing blood to leak back into the atrium

what is arteriosclerosis

thickening and hardening of artery walls

what is atherosclerosis

accumulation of cholesterol, cell debris and platelets inside the vessel wall

what is an aneurysm

a blood-filled bulge in the artery caused by formation of atherosclerotic plaques

what is peripheral arterial disease

widespread plaque buildups in the leg arteries preventing proper blood flow

what are varicose veins

twisted or enlarged superficial veins

what is deep vein thrombosis

a blood clot in the deep veins of the legs

instruction for a patient with DVT

take medication only as directed, wear compression stockings, avoid sitting for long hours

what are risk factors for hypertension

family history, smoking, high sodium intake, excessive alcohol intake, obesity, aging, sedentary lifestyle

what are the two types of hypertension

primary which has unknown causes

secondary which is caused by an underlying condition

what are the three stages of hypertension

prehypertension

stage 1

stage 2

what is the systolic and diastolic blood pressures that accompany prehypertension

systolic: 120-139 mm Hg

diastolic: 80-89 mm Hg

systolic and diastolic blood pressure in stage 1 hypertension

systolic: 140-159 mm Hg

diastolic 90-99 mmHg

systolic and diastolic blood pressure in stage 2 hypertension

systolic: over 160 mmHg

diastolic: over 100 mmHg

how do thiazide diuretics help with hypertension

increase elimination of water and sodium reducing blood volume

how do beta blockers help with hypertension

reduce heart rate and cardiac output thus reducing the workload of the heart

how do ACE Inhibitors help with hypertension

cause vasodilation thus decreasing the workload of the heart

how to angiotensin 2 receptor blockers help with hypertension

block vasoconstriction chemicals

how do calcium channel blockers help with hypertension

interrupt the movement of calcium into the heart causing vasodilation

how to thrombolytics help with heart disease

dissolve blood clots

how do statins help with heart disease

reduce KCK and triglycerides

how do vibrates help with heart disease

reduce the production of triglycerides

how do ACE inhibitors help with heart disease

cause vasodilation

how do beta-blockers help with heart disease

reduce heart rate and cardiac output

how does aspirin help with heart disease

prevent the formation of blood clots

how does Coumadin help with heart disease

act as an anticoagulant

what types of medication are used for high cholesterol

statins, vibrates, cholesterol absorption inhibitors and bile-acid binding resins

how to statins treat high cholesterol

lower LDL and triglycerides

how do fibrates help treat high cholesterol

reduce productive of triglycerides and lower lipid levels

how do cholesterol inhibitors treat high cholesterol

reduce the amount of cholesterol and LDL absorbed by the body

how do Bile acid binding resins treat high cholesterol

bind bile acids with cholesterol in the intestine to be excreted in Stoll

what are non-controllable risk-factors for heart disease

increasing age, gender, family history, race

what is the age risk for heart disease

65 years and older

which gender is at a higher risk for heart disease

men at a higher risk, womens risk increases after menopause

what races are at higher risk for heart disease

African Americans, Mexican Americans, Native Americans, Hawaiians

what are modifiable risk factors for heart disease

smoking, high blood cholesterol, hypertension, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, diabetes mellitus

what are signs a patient might report indicating an AMI

• crushing, pressing chest pain that is radiating

• sweating, difficulty breathing, nausea, indigestion, and dizziness

• medical history of coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, angina

• change in pattern of the angina

• chest pain during rest or minimal exertion

what are the types of cholesterol in the body

HDL, LDL, Triglycerides

what is HDL cholesterol

the “good cholesterol” should be 60mg/dL or more to prevent heart disease

what is LDL cholesterol

“bad” cholesterol, higher level increase heart disease risk. Should be between 100-129 mg/dL

what are triglycerides

the most common type of fat in the body, should be less then 150 mg/dL

what is metabolic syndrome

a cluster of risk factors that increase the risk of heart disease diabetes and stroke

what are the risk factors that qualify someone for metabolic syndrome

• abnormal obesity

• high triglycerides

• low HDL

• high blood pressure

• high fasting blood glucose

what is electrocardiogram

a diagnostic test monitering electrical activity of the heart to detect myocardial infarction or cardiac arrhythmia

what is echocardiography

an ultrasound test test that assesses heart structure and movements

how is an echocardiography conducted

• soundwves penetrate the hearts

• transducer picks up sound waves as the bounce off the different structures of the heart

what is a transesophageal echocardiogram

the patient swallows a microphone-like device to view the heart structure and valves

what is a cardiac pacemaker

a small device that delivers electrical impulses to the heart to make it contract and regulate heartbeat

describe implantable cardioverter-defibrillators

an implanted device means to monitor hear rythm continuously and restore normal heart rhythm during arrhythmia

what is the purpose of a doppler study?

identify occlusions in the veins and determine velocity of blood flow

what is the purpose of an ultrasound

to visualize a thrombus, blood clot and measure the rate of blood flow through a vessel

what is the purpose of a venous sonography

rule out DVT from varicose veins

what is the purpose of a Ct scan in cardiology

create detailed images of internal organs and blood vessels, diagnose aneurysms

what is an angioplasty

use of a catheter with a balloon to compress plaque and increase the size of the lumen

what is an angiography

a catheter is injected with a radiopaque dye and x-ray images and taken seriously

what is cardiac catheterization?

a thin catheter is inserted through the heart along with a contrast medium to visualized heart chambers, valves and coronary arteries

what is venography

a dye is injected into a large vein in the foot or ankle

what are the surgical interventions for arterial and venous disorders

laser surgery, endogenous ablation therapy, endoscopic vein surgery, vein stripping and ligation

what is endovenous ablation therapy

heat energy is delivered at the site of varicose veins to break them up

what is endoscopic vein surgery

a catheter is moved through a small vein and used to close veins

what is vein stripping/ligation

veins are tied shut and removed