Cardiology Quiz on Arrhythmias and Heart Function

An abnormal heart rhythm, either too fast, too slow, or erratic.

A fast heart rate, typically over 100 beats per minute.

A type of tachycardia originating in the ventricles of the heart.

A life-threatening condition where the ventricles quiver and the heart can't pump blood.

A type of tachycardia originating in the atria or atrioventricular node of the heart.

A slow heart rate, typically below 60 beats per minute.

A device implanted under the skin to speed up the heart rhythm.

The study of the electrical activity of the heart, used to diagnose and treat arrhythmias.

P waves represent the electrical activity that causes the top of the heart to contract.

QRS waves reflect the electrical activity that causes the heart to contract.

An AV block is a problem where the electrical signal from the upper heart chambers (atria) doesn't always reach the lower heart chambers (ventricles). Bradycardia is a slow heart rate (<60 beats per minute).

Devices that generate electrical activity to treat slow heart rates, heart blocks, or heart failure.

Drugs that restore a normal heart rhythm.

A condition where the heart muscle is not getting enough oxygen, causing chest pain.

Antianginal drugs are medications used to treat angina pectoris by reducing the heart's workload and increasing oxygen supply.

Antiarrhythmic drugs can be classified by their mechanism of actions, including blocking sodium channels, beta-blockers, blocking potassium channels, calcium channel blockers, and miscellaneous.

A complex clinical syndrome characterized by impaired ventricular performance, exercise intolerance, a high incidence of ventricular arrhythmias, and shortened life expectancy.

It can affect the right side, the left side, or both sides of the heart.

Blood may back up into other areas of the body, including the liver, the gastrointestinal tract, and extremities (right-sided heart failure) and the lungs (left-sided heart failure).

The ventricles are dilated and unable to develop adequate wall tension to eject a significant quantity of blood.

The ventricular wall is thickened and unable to relax properly during diastole, impairing ventricular filling and leading to low output.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) and coronary artery disease (for example, a heart attack).

Valvular heart disease, congenital heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, lung disease, and heart tumor.

Heart failure becomes more common with advancing age.

Hypertension that occurs due to an underlying medical condition, such as kidney disease or thyroid problems.

A severe form of hypertension that rapidly progresses, leading to organ damage and potential complications.

Specialized cells found in the walls of blood vessels, especially in the aorta and carotid arteries, that are sensitive to changes in blood pressure.

Drugs that block the movement of calcium ions into cells, primarily used to treat hypertension and angina.

A condition characterized by chest pain or discomfort due to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. It often occurs during physical exertion.

A type of angina that occurs due to coronary vasospasm, often at rest or during sleep. The timing is unpredictable.

A waxy substance that is essential for cell function and hormone production. It circulates in the bloodstream and is transported by lipoproteins.

A type of lipoprotein that carries cholesterol from the liver to the body's tissues. It's often referred to as "bad cholesterol" because high levels can contribute to heart disease.

A type of lipoprotein that carries cholesterol from the body's tissues back to the liver for processing. It's often referred to as "good cholesterol" because it helps remove LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream.

A condition where there is a high level of LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream. This can lead to atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries.

A buildup of fatty deposits, cholesterol, and other substances on the inner walls of arteries, which can reduce blood flow and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.

A class of drugs that block the production of cholesterol in the liver by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. They are often used to lower LDL cholesterol levels.

A class of drugs that bind to bile acids in the gut, preventing their reabsorption into the bloodstream. This reduces cholesterol levels by forcing the liver to use more cholesterol to produce new bile acids.

A unique drug that inhibits the absorption of dietary cholesterol in the small intestine.

These drugs lower blood pressure by increasing the excretion of sodium and water.

Excessive water loss, leading to dehydration.

Excessive potassium loss can lead to low potassium levels.

These drugs block the beta-receptors in the heart, leading to a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure.

Beta-blockers can block the release of renin, a key enzyme in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

Drugs that block alpha-1 receptors on vascular smooth muscle, causing vasodilation and reduced peripheral resistance.

These drugs interfere with the influx of calcium into cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells, leading to vasodilation and lower blood pressure.

These drugs inhibit the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, preventing vasoconstriction and increased blood pressure.