The Cardiovascular System

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the cardiovascular system, including components of the heart, heart rhythms, and blood circulation.

Sinoatrial (SA) node

The pacemaker of the heart that initiates each heartbeat and sets the heart's rhythm.

Atrioventricular (AV) node

A node that delays impulses from the atria before passing them to the ventricles, allowing time for the atria to contract.

Cardiac output (CO)

The amount of blood pumped out by each side of the heart in one minute, calculated as the product of heart rate and stroke volume.

Intrinsic conduction system

The network of specialized cardiac muscle cells that initiate and spread electrical impulses throughout the heart.

Ischemia

A condition in which there is inadequate blood supply to an organ, which can lead to tissue damage.

Fibrillation

An irregular and often rapid heart rate that can lead to poor blood flow, resulting in the heart's failure to pump effectively.

Tachycardia

A rapid heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute.

Bradycardia

A slow heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute.

Stroke volume (SV)

The volume of blood pumped out by a ventricle with each heartbeat.

Systole

The phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle contracts.

Diastole

The phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle relaxes.

Heart murmur

An abnormal sound heard during a heartbeat, often indicating turbulence in blood flow.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

A recording of the electrical activity of the heart that helps diagnose heart conditions.