THE HEART

WHAT IS THE HEART?

• The hollow muscular organ lies slightly to the left of the midline of the chest.
• The heart serves as a pump controlling the blood flow in two circuits, the pulmonary and the systemic.

DIVISIONS OF THE HEART

• Septum - A thick muscular wall, that divides the heart into halves each half is divided into an upper and lower quadrant
• Lower chambers - ventricles
• Upper chambers - atria
• The right side of the heart consists of the right atrium and the right ventricle.
• The left side of the heart consists of the left atrium and the left ventricle

BLOOD FLOW

• The right side receives deoxygenated blood and transfers it into the pulmonary circuit.
• The left side receives oxygenated blood, and transfers it into the systemic circuit.

VALVES OF THE HEART

• The atrioventricular valves connect the atrium and ventricle
• Between the right atrium and right ventricle is the tricuspid valve. Between the left atrium and left ventricle is the mitral valve. This valve opens from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery.
• The aortic valve opens from the left ventricle into the aorta.

VALVES OF THE HEART

• Each valve within the heart leads out of heart and they open and shut in a certain way to keep blood flowing in one direction to regulate blood flow.

LAYERS OF THE HEART

• The heart wall is composed of three different layers
• Endocardium - A delicate membrane that lines the chambers
• Myocardium - Thick muscular wall, essential to normal pumping action of the heart
• Pericardium - Thin but sturdy membranous sack surrounding the exterior of the heart.
• Epicardium - A serous membrane that forms the innermost layer of the pericardium, and the outer surface of the heart

PACEMAKER

• The heart is made up of special muscle tissue, capable of rhythmic contractions without tiring
• The impulse that starts the contraction of the heart is in the right atrium called the sionoatrial node, it's a special tissue, that acts as a normal pacemaker for the heart.
• The impulse is transmitted in a fraction of a second, through the atrium to sensitive fibers called the atrioventricular node, through the bundle of his, down the bundle branches, to the purkinjefibers resulting in contractions of the ventricles.

HEART DISEASE

• Caused by narrowed, blocked or stiffened blood vessels that prevent your heart or other parts of your body from receiving enough blood.
• Symptoms include: chest pain, shortness of breath, numbness, weakness/coldness in legs or arms(depending on where ventricle is located), pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen or back.
• Signs noticeable through testing
• Treatment: lifestyle changes, medications, surgery, stents, pacemaker, and ablation.

CARDIAC ARREST

• The sudden unexpected loss of heart function, breathing, and consciousness.
• Sign is unconsciousness
• Symptom: lack of breathing, consciousness and heart functions.
• Treatments: immediate CPR or use of a dephibulator.

HEART ATTACK

• A sudden and sometimes fatal occurrence of coronary thrombosis, typically resulting in the death of of part of a heart muscle.
• Symptoms- chest pain or discomfort in the upper back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea, extra fatigue, upper body discomfort and shortness of breath
• Signs- vomiting, and breaking out in sweat
• Treatment- ranges from lifestyle changes and cardiac rehabilitation to medications, stents, and bypass surgery

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

• Force of the blood is too high against the artery walls.
• Often has no symptoms or signs
• Requires a diagnoses and the treatment involves eating less salt, getting more excercise, and taking medication.

STROKE

• Damage to the Brain from interruption of blood supply
• Symptoms include numbness of the face, arm or leg and a ruptured artery.
• Signs include trouble walking, speaking and understanding speech.
• Treatment requires clot busters, and help from a specialist

HEART FAILURE

• Chronic condition in which the heart doesn't pump blood as well as it should
• Symptoms include shortness of blood, fatigue and a rapid heartbeat
• A sign is swollen legs
• Treatment options depend on severity of condition however they include eating less salt, limiting fluid intake, and getting a pacemaker or defibrillator

PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE

• Circulatory condition in which narrowed blood vessels reduce blood flow to the to the limbs, caused by a buildup of calcium and fatty deposits in the artery walls
• Symptoms include leg pain
• Treatments consists of a healthy diet, and medical procedures if necessary

CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

• The most common type of heart disease that hardens the arteries that give the heart oxygen/nutrients.
• Symptoms include chest pain and shortness of breath
• Treatment includes healthy lifestyle changes, medication and possibly surgery, in an attempt to lower buildup of plaque.

ARRHYTHMIA

• Abnormal heart rhythm, the heart may pump blood top fast or too slow, usually not fatal.
• Severe arrhythmia has symptoms of chest pain and dizziness
• Signs of severe arrhythmia are sweating and fainting.
• Treatment includes medications that stabilize a heartbeat or a pacemaker.

VALVULAR STENOSIS

• Occurs when a heart valve doesn't fully open due to fused leaflets, this prevents blood from getting through it
• Symptoms include shortness of breath, especially after exertion
• Signs include fainting after exertion
• Most people that have this condition have it cured with surgery. Without surgery this condition is life threatening

WORKS CITED

• google.images
• web.md
• MedicalLanguageLab
• Medlineplus.gov
• Heart.org