Your Heart and Beyond

 Located on the left side of the body above the diaphragm. The base of the heart is parallel to the right edge of the sternum.  The apex of the heart ( lowest point) is at the left mid-clavicular line and at the 5 th intercostal space.  Important to know for CPR!

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The heart consists of two pumps in one working together to send oxygen rich blood to the organs in the body.

The right pump – right atrium and ventricle – takes venous blood ( Low oxygenated blood) into the atrium and down to the ventricle and is “pumped” to the lungs to obtain oxygen. 

 The left pump – left atrium and ventricle – takes blood with oxygen from the lungs and it is “pumped” to the entire body system. 

 The Tricuspid Valve – right side  The Mitral Valve – left side  Open during contraction of the atrium to allow blood flow to the ventricles. Close during the refilling of the atrium. 

 What causes the heart to pump?   The SA Node (sinoatrial) is a group of specialized heart cells that are self- excitatory. In other words, they have automaticity.  Automaticity means they require no stimulus and may excite themselves at will. 

 1)Impulse starts at the SA node  2)Travels to the AV (atrioventricular) node  :sits at the lower part of right  atrium  3)Travels down the Bundle of His  this breaks off into right and left  bundle branch which go to  apex of heart  4) Travels to the Purkinje fibers  = ventricular contraction

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 The average adult heartbeat is 72 beats per minute.  Normal adult heartbeats are between  Less than 60 = bradycardia  - Athletes, sleeping, medications, vagal nerve stimulation  Greater than 100 = tachycardia  - Fever, exercise, stress, caffeine, nicotine,  amphetamines

 Atrial Fibrillation: the atriums of the heart are “ quivering” instead of beating.  - not immediately life threatening but can cause clots to form that travel to brain and cause a CVA (cerebral vascular accident) “stroke” 

 Ventricular Fibrillation: The ventricles of the heart are “quivering” instead of beating.  - Life threatening = Requires an immediate response! Needs “ shock” from defibrillator.  AED = Automatic Emergency Defibrillator. 

 What happens during an “MI” ( Myocardial Infarction)?  - The heart is an organ that also requires oxygenated blood to keep functioning.  - Coronary arteries feed the heart the oxygenated blood and are positioned around the exterior of the heart. 

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 The right coronary artery: Supplies blood to the right atrium, part of the left atrium, most of the right ventricle and the inferior part of the left ventricle.  The left coronary artery: Supplies blood to the left atrium and most of the left ventricle.

 When a coronary artery becomes blocked, (embolus or plaque or both) the blood flow to that part of the heart stops. Cardiac tissue and muscle begins to die very quickly.

 It does hurt!!!! 

 Cardiac Catheterization: Invasive procedure to find occluded artery and open the blockage with a stent. 

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 You only have one!