Cardiovascular Physiology Exam Practice

Cardiac Volume and Stroke Work

• The volume of blood in the ventricle before it contracts is called end diastolic volume.
• A larger heart size will have the greatest stroke work output.

Heart Sounds and Murmurs

• Mitral stenosis is heard during mid-diastole.
• Aortic mitral regurgitation is heard during mid-systole.

Cardiac Cycle and Heart Rate

• If the heart rate increases from 60 to 120 beats per minute, the cardiac cycle is shorter.
• An increase in heart rate can be caused by various factors, including exercise, anxiety, and certain medications.

Cardiac Muscle Cell and Depolarization

• During depolarization of the cardiac muscle cell (Phase 0), the rapid influx of sodium ions occurs.

Electrocardiogram and Wave Reflection

• If the wave is not reflected or seen in the cardiac cycle, it may indicate a conduction block or abnormal cardiac rhythm.

Blood Flow and Diastole

• In a healthy adult heart pumping blood 70 times per minute, 70% of the end diastolic volume (110 ml) flows to the ventricles during the first 1/3 of diastole.

Purkinje Fibers and Impulse Transmission

• Purkinje fibers transmit impulses faster than intermodal pathways due to their rapid conduction velocity.

Rheumatic Heart Disease

• The mitral valve is the most commonly affected in Rheumatic Heart Disease, and the aortic valve is the second most commonly affected.

Stroke Work Output

• Conditions that cause a greater than normal stroke work output in the heart include high blood pressure, aortic stenosis, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.