Heart Anatomy & Physiology
This valve allows blood to flow from the left ventricle into the aorta and prevents backflow.
What is the aortic valve?
What is myocardial infarction (MI)?
Obstruction of a coronary artery leading to myocardial cell death
What do baroreceptors do?
Baroreceptors detect a drop in blood pressure.
Then the SNS nervous system is activated to increase heart rate and vasoconstriction.
What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A blood clot in a deep vein.
This branch of the nervous system controls involuntary body functions like digestion.
What is the autonomic nervous system?
What is the sinoatrial (SA) node?
Known as the “pacemaker” of the heart, this node initiates electrical impulses that trigger contraction.
This term describes backward blood flow through a valve that doesn’t close properly.
What is valvular regurgitation?
The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) increases blood pressure by causing this.
What is fluid retention and vasoconstriction?
What is the most serious complication of a DVT that requires immediate attention.
What is pulmonary embolism?
Responsible for the “rest and digest” response, this system decreases heart rate.
What is the parasympathetic nervous system?
What is normal blood flow through the right side of the heart?
Blood travels in this order: right atrium → tricuspid valve → right ventricle → pulmonary valve → lungs.
This disease is caused by plaque buildup narrowing the arteries.
What is atherosclerosis (or peripheral artery disease)?
Medications are used in heart failure to improve this key measure of cardiac performance.
What is cardiac output?
This condition occurs when valve cusps are floppy and fail to close completely.
What is valvular regurgitation or prolapse?
This brain region regulates temperature, hunger, and autonomic control.
What is the hypothalamus?
A harsh, grating heart sound heard during the cardiac cycle indicates this inflammation.
What is a pericardial friction rub (pericarditis)?
Left-sided heart failure often causes this symptom when fluid backs up into the lungs.
What are crackles?
During stress, this adrenal hormone is released to increase heart rate and contractility.
Epinephrine
What is an effect of right-sided heart failure?
The presence of 3+ pitting edema to the ankles and feet most likely indicates this condition
Loss of balance and coordination suggests dysfunction in this brain structure.
What is the cerebellum?
What heart sound will you hear in Heart Failure?
S3
What is an aneurysm?
A localized dilation of a blood vessel due to weakening of the vessel wall describes this condition.
What normal body mechanisms worsens heart failure and why?
What is RAAS activation or sympathetic stimulation?
Peripheral pulses are weak or absent in this arterial disorder caused by narrowed vessels.
What is peripheral arterial disease (PAD)?
This brain structure connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls vital functions such as heart rate and breathing.
What is the brainstem?