Cardiovascular and Pharmacology Concepts

Cardiovascular Physiology

  • Cardiac Output (CO): This is the volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute. It is calculated by the formula: \text{Cardiac Output (CO)} = \text{Stroke Volume (Volume)} \times \text{Heart Rate (♡)} .
  • Heart Failure (HF): Characterized by a decrease in Cardiac Output (CO), meaning the heart is not pumping enough blood to meet the body's needs.
  • Ejection Fraction (EF): This value represents the percentage of blood ejected from the left ventricle with each contraction. (Specific values or further details not provided in transcript, but concept identified).

Factors Affecting Heart Rate

  • Age:
    • Normal adult heart rate: 60-100 beats per minute (bpm).
    • Baby heart rate: Greater than 110 bpm, up to 216 bpm.
  • Gender: Females typically have a higher heart rate (indicated by "4♡rate").
  • Exercise:
    • An increase in heart rate due to exercise is generally considered healthy. It takes longer for the heart rate to return to normal with consistent exercise, indicating improved cardiovascular fitness.
    • An unhealthy increase might imply an inappropriate or excessive response to exercise.
  • Fever: When the body experiences a fever, vasodilation occurs, which in turn leads to an increase in heart rate ("4♡ rate").
  • Medications: Some medications can affect heart rate:
    • Biguain (likely referring to Biguanides, though specific impact on HR not fully detailed here).
    • Metoprolol (a beta-blocker, typically used to decrease heart rate).
  • Hypocalcemia: Low calcium levels can influence heart rate (indicated by "rate" - implication is an effect, often an increase).
  • Emotional and Physiological Stressors:
    • Being scared can increase heart rate.
    • Pain can increase heart rate.
    • Stress, anxiety, and illness can all lead to an increase in heart rate ("4♡rate").
  • Position Changes: Changes in body position can affect heart rate (implied change in rate, often an increase upon standing due to orthostatic adjustments).

Blood Pressure

  • Systolic Blood Pressure: The pressure in the arteries when the ventricles contract (sytole, indicated by "Contraction of ventricles").
  • Diastolic Blood Pressure: The pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest, between beats (diastole, indicated by "Rest").

Blood Pressure Classifications:

  • Normal: Less than 120/80 mmHg.
  • Elevated: Systolic between 120-129 mmHg AND Diastolic less than 80 mmHg.
  • Stage 1 Hypertension: Systolic between 130-139 mmHg OR Diastolic between 80-89 mmHg.
  • Stage 2 Hypertension: Systolic at least 140 mmHg OR Diastolic at least 90 mmHg.
  • Hypertensive Crisis: Systolic greater than 180 mmHg AND/OR Diastolic greater than 120 mmHg. This requires immediate medical attention.

Non-Pharmacological Management of Hypertension:

  • Exercise: Regular physical activity.
  • Dietary Sodium Restriction: Limiting sodium intake to about 2 (likely referring to grams, though unit not specified, or 2g per day is common recommendation).
  • Alcohol Limitation: Reducing alcohol consumption.
  • Smoking Cessation: Quitting smoking.