Anatomy of the Cardiovascular System
This is the largest and strongest chamber of the heart, responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the body.
What is the left ventricle?
This is the term for the number of heartbeats per minute.
What is heart rate?
The two circuits of blood flow in the body, one supplying the lungs and the other supplying the rest of the body.
What are pulmonary circulation and systemic circulation?
Eating a diet rich in these types of foods can help lower cholesterol levels.
What are fruits, vegetables, and whole grains?
One common symptom of a heart attack that may occur in both men and women is this sensation in the chest.
What is chest pain or discomfort?
This valve separates the left atrium from the left ventricle.
What is the mitral (or bicuspid) valve?
This phase of the cardiac cycle occurs when the heart chambers are contracting to pump blood.
What is systole?
This is the pathway through which oxygen-poor blood travels from the heart to the lungs.
What is pulmonary circulation?
Quitting this habit is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
What is smoking?
This condition is defined as having consistently high blood pressure, typically above 130/80 mmHg.
What is hypertension (high blood pressure)?
These vessels return oxygen-poor blood from the body to the heart.
What are the venae cavae (superior and inferior)?
Cardiac output is calculated by multiplying heart rate by this other factor.
What is stroke volume?
This component of the circulatory system carries oxygenated blood back to the heart after systemic circulation.
What are the veins?
Monitoring this vital sign regularly can help detect hypertension early and reduce cardiovascular risk
What is blood pressure?
This term refers to irregular heartbeats that can be harmless or indicate serious health issues.
What are arrhythmias?
This artery is the only one that carries oxygen-poor blood.
What is the pulmonary artery?
This hormone, released during stress or physical exertion, increases heart rate and cardiac output.
What is adrenaline (epinephrine)?
The main function of heart valves is to prevent this from occurring in the heart.
What is backflow (or regurgitation)?
Keeping blood sugar levels in check is particularly important for individuals with this condition, which can increase cardiovascular risk.
What is diabetes?
High levels of this type of cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
What is low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol?
This iron-containing protein in red blood cells binds to oxygen, allowing it to be transported throughout the body.
What is hemoglobin?
This condition, characterized by increased thickness of the blood, can lead to elevated blood pressure and increased workload on the heart.
What is increased blood viscosity (or hyperviscosity)?
Blood returns to the heart from the lungs through these vessels.
What are the pulmonary veins?
This practice, which can include meditation or yoga, is beneficial for reducing stress and improving heart health
What is mindfulness or stress reduction techniques?
This condition occurs when the coronary arteries become narrowed or blocked, often due to plaque buildup.
What is coronary artery disease (CAD)?