UNIT 2 NOTES:Blood Pressure & Heart Disorders

(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 Pressure1. Cuff is inflated/tightened until cuff pressure is greater than systolic

pressure2. Blood flow in arm ceases3. No pulse (heard + felt)4. Pressure in cuff is reduced listen for pulse sounds5. Systolic Blood Pressure = first soft tapping sounds6. Diastolic Blood Pressure = no more tapping sounds, constant flow7. Expressed: “Systolic over Diastolic”

(4) Hypotension• Low blood pressure

• Systolic = 100 and under

• 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

(10) Thrombus vs. Embolus• Thrombus Clot in wall of blood vessel

• Embolus Free Floating Thrombus

• Causes:

– Rough blood vessel tissue from burns, ruptures, fat.

– Slow blood flow (low levels of activity)

• Aspirin: Common over the counter anticoagulant.

(11) Thrombocytopenia(Hemostatic Disorder)

• Low platelet count & Slow Clotting Rate

• Typical of bone marrow cancer and/or radiation patients.

• Caused by damaged liver Cannot make clotting factors.

(12) Hemophilia(Hemostatic Disorder)

• Low Clotting Factor Count & Slow Clotting Rate

• Either missing Clotting Factor #8 or #9