The Cardiovascular System

The Cardiovascular System

Consists of the heart, the blood vessels, and the blood.

Arteries

These are large oxygen-rich vessels that always carry blood away from the heart.

Veins

These are large oxygen-poor blood vessels that always carry blood to the heart.

Arterioles

These are arteries that are small and deliver food to capillaries.

Capillaries

Smallest vessels in the body. They form a network of vascular beds linking the arterial system with the venous system.

Venules

Smaller veins linking to capillaries.

Heart

A hollow, muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the entire body.

Pericardium (Pericardial sac)

A double-walled membranous sac that encloses and protects the heart.

What three layers are in the heart wall?

Epicardium, myocardium, and endocardium.

Aorta

The major artery that takes oxygenated blood from the heart to the body.

Superior and Inferior Vena Cava

These bring oxygen-poor blood from the body into the heart.

Pulmonary Veins

Bring oxygenated blood from the lungs into the heart

Pulmonary Arteries

Takes oxygen-poor blood from the heart back to the lungs to be re-oxygenated.

The Heart’s Electrical System

The heart has its own electrical system composed of the sinoatrial node (SA node), the atrioventricular node (AV node), bundle of His, and the Purkinje fibers. This electrical system ensures that the heart beats constantly to move the blood through the body.

Coronary Circulation

The hearts own vascular system. Coronary arteries bring oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle itself while coronary veins move oxygen-poor blood out of the heart muscle.

Blood

A fluid tissue of the body. The blood plasma forms about 55% of the blood and the formed elements for the other 45% of the blood.

Plasma

A straw-colored fluid that contains nutrients, hormones, and waste products from the metabolic reaction in the body and respiration.

Erythrocytes

These are the red blood cells (RBCs) produced in the red bone marrow. Their job is to transport oxygen to the tissues.

Leukocytes

These are the white blood cells (WBCs) and are components of the body’s immune system defending against pathogens and foreign substances.

Thrombocytes

These are known as platelets. They are important in blood clotting.

Pulmonary Circulation

This refers to the flow of blood between the heart and lungs.

Systemic Circulation

This refers to the flow of blood to all parts of the body except for the heart.

Right Atrium

Receives oxygen-poor blood from all tissues, except the lungs, through the superior and inferior venae cavae.

Right Ventricle

Pumps the oxygen-poor blood through the pulmonary semilunar valve and into the pulmonary artery, which carries it to the lungs.

Left Atrium

Receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs through the four pulmonary veins.

Left Ventricle

Receives oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium.

Pulse

The rhythmic pressure against the walls of an artery when the heart contracts.

Blood Pressure

This the measurement of the amount of systolic and diastolic pressure exerted against the walls of the arteries.

Systolic Pressure

This occurs when the ventricles of the heart contract. This is the highest pressure of blood on the artery wall.

Diastolic Pressure

This occurs when the ventricles relax. This is the lowest pressure of blood on the artery wall.

Congenital Heart Defects

Refers to structural abnormalities caused by the failure of the heart to develop normally before birth.

What are four artery diseases?

Atherosclerosis, Coronary Artery Disease, Ischemia, and Angina.

Atherosclerosis

The hardening and narrowing of the arteries from the buildup of cholesterol plaque on the interior walls of the arteries.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Refers to atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries.

Ischemia

A condition where there is an insufficient supply of oxygen in the tissues due to restricted blood flow to a part of the body.

Angina Pectoris

These are severe episodes of chest pain due to inadequate blood flow to the myocardium, or heart muscle.

Myocardial Infarction

A heart attack caused by occlusion or blockage of one or more coronary arteries caused by plaque buildup.

Heart Failure

This is a chronic condition in which the heart cannot pump out all of the blood it receives causing congestion of blood.

Left-sided Heart Failure

Causes an accumulation of fluid in the lungs, called pulmonary edema.

Right-Sided Heart Failure

Causes fluid to build up throughout the rest of the body causing edema first in the feet and legs and then worsening to other parts of the body.

Cardiomegaly

Abnormal enlargement of the heart as it tries to compensate for its decreased pumping ability.

Carditis

Inflammation of the heart.

What are three types of carditis?

Endocarditis, Pericarditis, and Myocarditis.

Endocarditis

This is an inflammation of the endocardium, or inner lining of the heart.

Pericarditis

This is an inflammation of the pericardium. It typically causes a fluid buildup in the pericardial sac which restricts movement of the heart and its ability to pump blood to the body.

Myocarditis

This is an inflammation of the myocardium. It is often seen as a complication of a viral infection.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy

This is a disease of the heart muscle that causes the heart to become enlarged and to pump in a weaker fashion.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

This disease involves abnormal thickening of the heart muscle making it harder for the heart to pump.

Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

This type refers to the heart muscle becoming stiff and less flexible, preventing expansion and filling with blood between heart contractions.

Arrhythmias

This is the loss of normal rhythm of the heartbeat. It is diagnosed by using an EKG (ECG) or electrocardiogram.

Asystole

A flat line. It refers to a complete lack of electrical activity in the heart indicating no heart contraction and no blood pumping through the body.

Cardiac Arrest

Is an event in which the heart abruptly stops beating, preventing blood from being pumped through the body.

Sudden Cardiac Death

This results when treatment of cardiac arrest is not provided within a few minutes.

Heart Block

This is an arrhythmia caused by the electrical signal moving through the heart being partially or completely blocked from reaching the ventricles.

Bradycardia

Abnormally slow resting heart rate.

Tachycardia

Abnormally fast resting heart rate.

Ventricular Fibrillation

This is a rapid, irregular, and useless contraction of the ventricles. The heart muscle basically quivers and little blood is pumped through the body.

Heart Palpitation

This is a pounding or racing heartbeat with or without irregularity in rhythm.

Atrial Fibrillation

Common type of tachycardia resulting from abnormal contractions of the atria. The atria contracts rapid, uncontrolled twitching of the muscular heart wall.

Vasculitis

An inflammation of a blood vessel.

Angiostenosis

This is an abnormal narrowing of a blood vessel.

Hemangioma

Insufficient perfusion, or blood flow, through a body part or organ.

Aneurysm

A weak spot in an artery. The weak spot begins to fill up with blood causing the artery to balloon out due to blood pressure. There is a risk of this area bursting which can be fatal.

Arteriostenosis

This refers to the narrowing of an artery diminishing the blood flow to the area.

Venous Insufficiency

This condition is where there is insufficient venous circulation because of partial blockage in a vein or leaking through vein valves.

Phlebitis

An inflammation of a vein.

Thrombophlebitis

This is when the vein contains a clot (thrombus) blocking the flow of blood.

Thrombosis

This refers to a blood clot in the vessel.

Embolism

A sudden blockage of a blood vessel by either air or fat.

Peripheral Vascular Disease

These disorders of blood vessels include those located outside of the heart and brain and include those of legs, arms, stomach, and kidneys.

Raynaud’s disease

This is a peripheral arterial occlusive disease where cold or stress causes intermittent attacks.

Hemochromatosis

This is a genetic disorder when the intestines absorb too much iron. The excess iron accumulates in organs causing damage.

Leukopenia

This is a decrease in the number of white blood cells in the blood.

Polycythemia

This is an abnormal increase in red blood cells in the blood because the bone marrow produces too many.

Sepsis

A bacterial, viral, or other pathogenic infection of the blood. Sometimes called blood poisoning.

Hemorrhage

This is the loss of a significant amount of blood in a short time.

Thrombocytosis

This is an abnormal increase in platelets in the blood.

Hyperlipidemia

This describes elevate cholesterol and fatty substances in the blood.

Leukemia

A type of blood cancer where there is a progressive increase in the number of abnormal white blood cells produced by blood-forming tissues and other organs and in the blood.

Anemia

An abnormally low number of red blood cells in the blood.

Blood Pressure Disorders

Refers to the pressure of the blood puts on the vessel walls as it is pumped through the vascular system.

Hypertension

Abnormally high blood pressure. Above the normal 120/80 mmHg.

Hypotension

Abnormally low blood pressure. Considered to be 90/60 mmHg.