Blood pressure & heart disorder Notes

(1) Pulse Pressure wave that travels through arteries –Result of contraction and relaxation of artery –Pulse Rate should = Heart Rate Could vary if blood vessel filled with fatty deposits or damaged interior walls

(2) Blood Pressure Pressure blood exerts against vessel walls Keeps blood circulating Ventricles Contract: –Blood forced into arteries –Arteries expand as blood travels through –Blood moves high  low pressure Blood continues to move into areas without blood Eventually moves back to heart (when heart empties out)

(3) Measuring Blood Pressure Systolic Pressure –Pressure in arteries –Peak of ventricular contraction Diastolic Pressure –Pressure in ventricles –Relaxed ventricles Measuring Blood Pressure 1.Cuff is inflated/tightened until cuff pressure is greater than systolic pressure 2.Blood flow in arm ceases 3.No pulse (heard + felt) 4.Pressure in cuff is reduced  listen for pulse sounds 5.Systolic Blood Pressure = first soft tapping sounds 6.Diastolic Blood Pressure = no more tapping sounds, constant flow 7.Expressed: “Systolic over Diastolic”

(4) Hypotension Low blood pressure Systolic = 100 and over Causes: –Increase in fitness –Change in body position and circulation of blood pressure (sitting  standing) –Poor nutrition (decreased viscosity) –Blood loss

(5) Hypertension High blood pressure Systolic = 140 and over Causes: –Damaged arterial walls –Fatty deposits –Increased viscosity of blood –Increased stress

(6) Coronary Artery Disease Blood vessels fill with fat + calcium deposits Constricts inner volume of blood vessels Severely increases pressure within blood vessels Can build up + not allow blood flow

(7) Congenital Heart Defect Common in infants Causes: –Maternal infection –Drugs Defects: –Valves do not open/close properly –Septum separating right + left side may not be complete –Missing chambers/arteries

(8) Congestive Heart Failure Weaking of heart + blood vessels: –Common in older + unhealthy individuals Pumping efficiency decreased: –Decrease in blood flow –Decrease in muscle contraction Vessels most likely clogged with fat + calcium: –Leads to straining of heart muscle –Damage to vessels  scar tissue in repair

(9) Heart Fibrillation Rapid uncoordinated shuddering/pulsing of heart muscle –Does not allow for proper pumping of blood –Major cause of heart attack + death in adults Tachycardia = rapid heart rate Brachycardia = slowed heart rate