cardiac

Structure & Function of the Cardiovascular System + Risk Factors

• Structure of the Cardiovascular System

  • Heart
  • Comprises 4 chambers:
    • Right Atrium
    • Right Ventricle
    • Left Atrium
    • Left Ventricle
  • Has four main valves:
    • Aortic valve
    • Pulmonic valve
    • Tricuspid valve
    • Mitral valve
  • Electrical Conduction System
  • Sequence of conduction:
    1. SA (Sinoatrial) node
    2. AV (Atrioventricular) node
    3. Bundle branches
    4. Purkinje fibers
  • Arterial System
  • Transports blood away from the heart
  • Venous System
  • Returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart

• Functions of the Cardiovascular System

  • Oxygen and Nutrient Delivery
  • Removal of Cellular Waste
  • Maintenance of Perfusion
  • Minimum Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) of ≥ 60 mmHg
  • Cardiac Output Formula
  • Cardiac Output = Heart Rate (HR) × Stroke Volume
  • Normal Cardiac Index (CI): 2.7–3.2 L/min/m²

• ## Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Diseases

  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • Family History
  • Hyperlipidemia
  • Hypertension
  • Aging
  • Sedentary Lifestyle

Comprehensive Cardiovascular Assessment

• History Assessment

  • Chest Pain (analyzed using PQRST method)
  • Dyspnea (shortness of breath), Orthopnea (shortness of breath when lying flat), PND (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea)
  • Fatigue
  • Palpitations
  • Edema
  • Syncope (fainting)
  • Extremity Pain

• Physical Examination

  • Inspection
  • Signs like cyanosis (bluish discoloration of skin), clubbing (rounded fingertips), edema (swelling)
  • Palpation
  • Assessing pulses and thrills (vibrations in the chest)
  • Percussion
  • Auscultation
  • Heart sounds: S1 (first heart sound), S2 (second heart sound)
  • Detecting murmurs, gallops (S3, S4), friction rub

• ## Valve Landmarks for Auscultation

  • Aortic Valve: 2nd Intercostal Space (ICS) Right Sternal Border (RSB)
  • Pulmonic Valve: 2nd ICS Left Sternal Border (LSB)
  • Erb’s Point: 3rd ICS LSB
  • Tricuspid Valve: 4th ICS LSB
  • Mitral Valve: 5th