The heart

• What is the main function of the heart?

  To circulate blood throughout the body
• What are the main components of the cardiac cycle?

  • Diastole: Relaxation of the heart
  • Atrial Systole: Contraction of atria
  • Ventricular Systole: Contraction of ventricles
• What happens during diastole?

  The heart relaxes and fills with blood
• What occurs during atrial systole?

  Atria contract and push blood into ventricles
• What happens during ventricular systole?

  Ventricles contract and pump blood away
• What is hypertension?

  High blood pressure
• What is hypotension?

  Low blood pressure
• What is cardiac output?

  Amount of blood pumped around the body
• What factors determine cardiac output?

  Stroke volume and heart rate
• What is the typical stroke volume for an adult at rest?

  75 ml
• What is the typical heart rate for an adult at rest?

  70 bpm
• How is cardiac output calculated?

  Cardiac Output = Stroke volume x heart rate
• What is a normal blood pressure reading for an adult?

  120/80 mmHg
• What happens when the atria fill with blood?

  Pressure rises and valves open
• What sound is produced when the semilunar valves close?

  A 'dub' sound
• What sound is produced during ventricular systole?

  A 'lub' sound
• What is the role of the SAN?

  It initiates the electrical activity of the heart
• What does the AVN do?

  Conveys electrical activity between the ventricles
• What is an artificial pacemaker used for?

  To correct heart's electrical conduction issues
• What does ECG stand for?

  Electrocardiogram
• What does the P wave in an ECG represent?

  Atrial depolarization
• What does the QRS complex in an ECG represent?

  Ventricular depolarization
• What does the T wave in an ECG represent?

  Ventricular repolarization
• What is atheroma and its effects?

  • Fatty material clogs arteries
  • Decreases blood volume to body
  • Can cause blood clots
  • Leads to coronary heart disease (CHD)
  • Can cause strokes
• What are the risk factors for atheroma?

  Family history, obesity, unhealthy diet
• What is thrombosis?

  Blood clots in veins or arteries
• What are the effects of thrombosis?

  • Swelling or pain in chest or leg
  • Numbness on one side of body
  • Can lead to strokes or heart attacks
• What are the risk factors for venous thrombosis?

  Broken bones, lack of movement, obesity
• What are the risk factors for arterial thrombosis?

  Smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes
• What are the treatments for thrombosis?

  • Blood thinning medicines
  • Catheters to widen blood vessels
  • Stents to keep vessels open
• What is an aneurysm and its effects?

  • Nerves are compressed
  • Can lead to kidney failure
  • May cause paralysis or stroke
  • Can result in heart attack or heart failure
• What are the risk factors for an aneurysm?

  Smoking, family history, high blood pressure
• What are the treatments for an aneurysm?

  • Medicines to lower blood pressure
  • Neurosurgical clipping
  • Endovascular coiling
• What is myocardial infarction and its effects?

  • Abnormal heartbeats
  • Can lead to cardiogenic shock
  • May cause heart rupture
• What are the risk factors for myocardial infarction?

  Smoking, high blood pressure, obesity
• What are the treatments for myocardial infarction?

  • Primary PCI to widen arteries
  • Blood thinning medicines
  • Thrombolytics to break down clots