Chapter 12: Cardiovascular System Disorders

A factor that can be changed to decrease the risk of atherosclerosis build-up in the arteries.

An event that can trigger an angina attack (chest pain).

A type of cholesterol that contributes to the development of atheromas.

Loss of elasticity and narrowing of small arteries.

Events that could lead to a chest pain attack (angina), include strenuous physical activity, emotional stress or eating a heavy meal.

Formation of a deposit (plaque) due to injured arterial walls, accumulating lipids, and fibrin.

A medication that reduces platelet adhesion, helping to prevent blood clots.

Angina causes chest pain but no tissue death, while MI involves tissue death.

Excess fluid in the pericardial cavity, which compresses the heart, leading to reduced ventricular filling.

Inflammation of the pericardium can be caused by infections, autoimmune responses, injuries, or cancer.

A blood clot traveling from the carotid artery can obstruct blood flow to the brain, causing a stroke.

The fundamental problem in essential hypertension is increased vasoconstriction, leading to higher blood pressure

Uncontrolled high blood pressure primarily damages the kidneys, brain, and retinas.

Consistent blood pressure readings above 140/90 mmHg in young or middle-aged individuals indicate likely essential hypertension.

Plaque buildup in these arteries can cause gangrenous ulcers and intermittent claudication in the legs due to reduced blood flow.

Pain and cramping in the leg muscles, particularly during exercise, caused by inadequate blood flow due to arterial blockage.

A life-threatening heart rhythm where the ventricles quiver instead of pumping blood effectively, leading to cardiac arrest.

Complete cessation of all heart function, resulting in no blood flow to the body.

A severe heart condition where electrical signals from the atria don't reach the ventricles, causing the ventricles to beat slowly and independently.

An extra heartbeat that originates from the ventricles, occurring earlier than expected, often felt as palpitations.

A condition where the left ventricle is unable to pump blood efficiently, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs.

A condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs and other tissues.

A condition where the right ventricle is unable to pump blood effectively, leading to fluid buildup in the legs, abdomen, and liver.

Sudden shortness of breath that awakens a person from sleep, typically occurring at night.

Anaphylactic shock causes severe hypoxia due to bronchoconstriction and bronchial edema, which reduce airflow.

Neurogenic shock results from systemic vasodilation caused by increased capacity of the vascular system and reduced venous return.

Prolonged shock damages pulmonary capillaries, increasing their permeability.

Decompensated acidosis related to shock is indicated by a serum pH below the normal range.

Shock leads to anaerobic cell metabolism and decreased renal blood flow, causing metabolic acidosis.

Severe burns cause shock due to pain and loss of plasma, leading to decreased blood volume.

Left-sided heart failure is characterized by pulmonary congestion, leading to shortness of breath.

Right-sided heart failure is characterized by peripheral edema, leading to swelling in the legs and ankles.

A condition where the electrical signals that control the heart's rhythm are disrupted, causing a slow heart rate.

A medication used to treat angina (chest pain) by relaxing blood vessels, reducing the workload of the heart.

A heart attack that occurs when a blood clot blocks a coronary artery, cutting off blood supply to a part of the heart muscle, leading to tissue death.

A bulge or ballooning in the wall of a blood vessel that can rupture, causing severe bleeding.

A condition where blood pressure drops suddenly when you stand up, causing dizziness or lightheadedness.

High blood pressure with no identifiable cause, meaning it's not related to any other medical condition.

A small device implanted in the chest to regulate the heart's rhythm when electrical signals are disrupted.

Increased venous pressure is the main factor leading to varicose veins.

Pallor, sweating, rapid pulse, and anxiety after a heart attack are signs of circulatory shock.

Septic shock is characterized by fever and flushed skin, unlike hypovolemic shock.

A conduction delay at the AV node causes intermittent missed ventricular contractions.

An embolus causing a heart attack leads to more extensive permanent damage.

A very rapid heart rate decreases cardiac output by reducing ventricular filling time.

Large infarction in the right ventricle and advanced COPD can cause right heart failure.

Faster heart rate, cardiomegaly, peripheral vasoconstriction, and increased renin secretion can eventually increase the workload of the heart in congestive heart failure.

The sympathetic nervous system increases heart rate and force of contraction.

Stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system increases heart rate.

The QRS wave on an electrocardiogram represents ventricular depolarization.

Cardiac reserve is the heart's ability to increase cardiac output when needed.

Preload refers to the volume of venous return to the heart.

The coronary arteries are the first arteries to branch off the aorta.

Cardiac output is the volume of blood ejected by a ventricle in one minute.

Vasodilation in the skin and viscera occurs due to relaxation of smooth muscle in the arterioles.

When the left ventricle fails, it causes increased hydrostatic pressure in the pulmonary capillaries due to the inability to pump blood forward efficiently.

Digoxin improves heart efficiency by slowing the heart rate and increasing the force of cardiac contractions.

Feeding problems are often the first sign of congestive heart failure in infants because their hearts can't pump enough blood to meet their needs.

Beta-adrenergic blocking drugs decrease sympathetic stimulation of the heart, slowing down heart rate and reducing the force of contractions.

A heart murmur is a common sign of aortic stenosis, which is a narrowing of the aortic valve.

An incompetent mitral valve allows blood to flow back into the left atrium, decreasing the output from the left ventricle.

A ventricular septal defect allows blood to flow from the left ventricle to the right ventricle, bypassing the lungs.

Angina is chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, but without permanent tissue damage. Myocardial infarction (MI), or heart attack, is chest pain caused by complete blockage of a coronary artery, leading to heart muscle death.

Myocardial infarction occurs when a coronary artery is completely blocked, causing a lack of oxygenated blood to a section of the heart muscle, resulting in tissue death (necrosis).

Early signs of a heart attack include persistent chest pain radiating to the left arm, pallor (pale skin), and a rapid, weak pulse.

Atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the arteries, with a thrombus (blood clot) attached, is the most frequent cause of myocardial infarction.

These drugs are beneficial in reducing cardiac and smooth muscle contractions, thereby easing the workload on the heart by relaxing blood vessels.

The presence of elevated serum isoenzymes released from damaged heart cells and an ECG showing characteristic changes confirm a myocardial infarction.

Collateral circulation, prompt administration of clot-dissolving drugs, and providing maximum oxygen supply to the heart muscle can all help reduce the extent of heart damage during a heart attack. However, removing the pre-existing risk factors for atherosclerosis development is not directly effective in minimizing immediate damage.

Cardiac arrhythmias and fibrillation, which disrupt the heart's rhythm, are the most frequent cause of death immediately following a heart attack.

Increased venous pressure is the primary factor contributing to the development of varicose veins.

Pallor (pale skin), sweating, rapid pulse, and anxiety are the immediate signs of circulatory shock after a myocardial infarction.

Septic shock is characterized by fever and flushed skin, while hypovolemic shock is marked by decreased blood volume.

Cyanosis in children with Tetralogy of Fallot occurs because a large amount of hemoglobin in the blood is unoxygenated.

Rheumatic fever initially causes acute inflammation in all layers of the heart due to an abnormal immune response.

Common signs of rheumatic fever include erythematous skin rash, subcutaneous nodules, epistaxis (nosebleeds), tachycardia (fast heart rate), and fever. Arthritis causing joint deformities is NOT a common sign.

Rheumatic heart disease usually manifests later as cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) and heart murmurs.

Septic emboli, a common complication of infective endocarditis, occur because vegetations on heart valves are loosely attached and fragile.

Subacute infective endocarditis occurs when a microbe of low virulence attacks abnormal or damaged heart valves.

Pericarditis causes a reduction in cardiac output because inflammation of the pericardium leads to friction, making it harder for the heart to pump effectively.

Left ventricular hypertrophy means the wall of the left ventricle has thickened. This is a common adaptation to increased workload, such as in high blood pressure.

The body's attempts to maintain blood pressure and flow during shock. This includes increasing heart rate, vasoconstriction, and redirecting blood flow to vital organs.

Neurogenic shock results from systemic vasodilation, where blood vessels widen, leading to reduced venous return and decreased blood pressure. This is often caused by damage to the nervous system.

Left-sided heart failure is characterized by pulmonary congestion, leading to shortness of breath, especially during exertion.

A buildup of lipids, cells, and fibrin in an injured artery wall.

Chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, but without permanent tissue damage.

A drug taken in small doses to reduce platelet adhesion, which helps prevent blood clots.

Factors that increase the likelihood of atherosclerosis, including smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and a sedentary lifestyle.

The sympathetic nervous system increases heart rate and force of contraction.

Ventricular fibrillation can result in cardiac arrest because the ineffective quivering of the ventricles doesn't circulate blood.

An echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create images of the heart. It helps doctors identify abnormalities in the heart's structure, especially the movement of the heart valves.

A friction rub is a scratching sound heard with a stethoscope, typically indicating inflammation of the pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart. This is known as pericarditis.

A dissecting aortic aneurysm occurs when a tear in the inner lining of the aorta allows blood to flow between the layers of the aortic wall, weakening and dilating the aorta.

During pregnancy, the weight of the growing uterus can compress pelvic veins, leading to increased pressure and varicose veins in the legs.

Phlebothrombosis is a blood clot forming in a vein without inflammation. Compared to thrombophlebitis (clot with inflammation), phlebothrombosis is more likely to cause a pulmonary embolus because the clot is less firmly attached.

Shock is a life-threatening condition where the body's circulatory system fails to deliver enough blood to meet the needs of the organs and tissues.

A large myocardial infarction (heart attack) can lead to shock because the heart is unable to pump enough blood due to extensive damage to the heart muscle.

Early signs of circulatory shock include pale, moist skin, rapid and weak pulse, and anxiety.

Shock leads to anaerobic cell metabolism and decreased renal blood flow, causing a buildup of acidic byproducts, leading to metabolic acidosis.

Neurogenic shock results from systemic vasodilation due to increased capacity of the vascular system and reduced venous return, leading to decreased blood pressure.

The classic early manifestation(s) of left-sided congestive heart failure is/are pulmonary edema, which causes shortness of breath, whereas the early indicator(s) of right-sided failure is/are peripheral edema which causes swelling in the legs and ankles.