Cardiovascular System Review

The three body systems I am revising and expanding my knowledge on this semester are cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological. These are the systems that are most relevant to what we're learning in classes and on placement. I'm reading three different textbooks for each, and then doing the review questions at the end of the chapter in one of the textbooks. I recently completed Cardiovascular System Anatomy, Physiology, Diseases and Disorders. Here's a summary:

1. Which of the following risk factors are controllable or modifiable?
a. Heredity b. Diet c. Age d. Stress
e. Smoking f. Exercise

2. Which of the following statements are correct in relation to coronary artery disease?
a. It is often called coronary heart disease.
b. Slow, progressive occlusion of arteries often leads to development of collateral arteries that extend into ischaemic tissue, providing some protection against infarction.
c. It will always lead to a myocardial infarction.
d. Diagnosis of CAD is made by evaluating the history, ECG, and angiograms.
e. The disease is commonly due to atherosclerosis.

3. Define the following terms related to haemorrhage:
a. Petechiae – small pinpoint haemorrhages (like varicose veins)
b. Ecchymosis – larger area of purplish colour commonly called a bruise
c. Purpura – spontaneous bleeding into the tissues related to a haemorrhagic disease that may be characterised by both petechiae and ecchymosis.

4. What are the functions of the cardiovascular system?
The most basic function is to pump blood around the body and supply all organs and tissues with freshly oxygenated, nutrient rich blood. Waste products of cell function are removed with the blood as it leaves . The cardiovascular system also transports other vital substances, such as hormones and immune cells.

5. Which signs and symptoms are associated with common cardiovascular system disorders?
Dyspnea (difficulty breathing), fatigue, tachycardia (rapid heart rate), chest pain, pain in the left arm and/or jaw, heart palpitations, sweating, edema in the extremities, nausea, vomiting, cyanosis.

6. Which diagnostic tests are most commonly used to determine the type and/or cause of cardiovascular system disorders?
Auscultation of the chest, blood pressure measurement, ECG, angiogram, blood test, cardiac catheterisation.

7. What symptoms are usually seen in congestive heart failure?
Gradual increase in dyspnea, tachycardia, tachypnea (rapid breathing), neck vein distension, edema in the ankles and lower legs.

8. What is the difference between phlebitis and thrombophlebitis?
Phlebitis is the inflammation of superficial veins and may be caused by injury, obesity, poor circulation, prolonged bed rest, and infection. Thrombophlebitis is the development of a clot in an inflamed vessel. Clots in superficial veins rarely embolise (break loose and travel), but clots in deep veins often do and are a serious concern (deep vein thrombosis).

9. What are the most common signs and symptoms of shock?
Extremely low blood pressure, facial pallor, cool and clammy skin, cyanosis, tachycardia, tachypnea, altered mental status, syncope (fainting), unconsciousness, oliguria (lack of urine).

10. What are some of the changes occurring in the cardiovascular system with age?
The heart muscle loses some of its contractility, causing decreased cardiac output and/or increased heart rate to compensate. Vessels lose elasticity and become more rigid and narrowed. Valves become thick and sclerotic and lose some functioning. Decreased peripheral circulation results in cool and pale extremeties, improper healing, and edema in the legs and feet.