Heart Structure
How many chambers are in the heart?
4 (Right Atrium, Right Ventricle, Left Atrium, Left Ventricle)
Where does oxygen-poor blood go to pick up oxygen?
The lungs
What is the average resting heart rate for adults?
60–100 bpm
What is the heart’s natural pacemaker?
The SA Node
What is the normal blood pressure reading?
120/80 mmHg
What is the largest artery in the body?
The aorta
What is cardiac output?
Heart Rate × Stroke Volume
What is VO₂ Max?
Maximum oxygen uptake during exercise
What does an ECG measure?
The heart’s electrical activity
Which type of cholesterol is considered “bad”?
LDL
Which side of the heart pumps blood to the lungs?
The right side
Why is cardiac output important for athletes?
It shows how much blood and oxygen can be delivered during exercise
Why do athletes have lower resting heart rates?
Their hearts are stronger and pump more blood per beat
What does the QRS complex represent?
Ventricular contraction
What condition can cause sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes?
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
What prevents blood from flowing backward in the heart?
Valves
What happens to heart rate during exercise?
It increases to meet oxygen demand
What happens to stroke volume during exercise?
It increases
What is an arrhythmia?
An irregular heartbeat
What two emergency responses can save an athlete during cardiac arrest?
CPR & AED
Name the two veins that bring blood into the right atrium.
Superior vena cava & inferior vena cava
What is ejection fraction?
The percentage of blood pumped out of the ventricles each beat
Why is recovery speed important for athletes?
Faster recovery shows heart efficiency and endurance
Why is the SA Node important for athletes?
It controls heart rhythm, which is critical for safe performance
Why are pre-participation heart screenings important?
They detect hidden conditions that could cause emergencies