Chapter 11 - The Cardiovascular System
A closed system of the heart and blood vessels
The heart pumps blood
Blood vessels allow blood to circulate to all parts of the body
Functions of the cardiovascular system
Transport oxygen, nutrients, cell wastes, hormones to and from cells
It's the size of a human fist, weighing less than a pound
Located in the thoracic cavity, between the lungs in the inferior mediastinum
Orientation
Apex is directed toward left hip and rests on the diaphragm
Base points toward right shoulder
1
,2
,Vital Signs
Measurements of arterial pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and body temperature
Arterial pulse
Checked for rate and regularity
Alternate expansion and recoil of a blood vessel wall (the pressure wave) that occurs as
the heart beats
3
, Monitored at pressure points in superficial arteries, where pulse is easily palpated
Pulse averages 70 to 76 beats per minute at rest, in a healthy person
The posterior tibial artery and dorsalis pedis (medial malleolus bone) artery are important for
people with diabetes because their vessels constrict
Irregular Pulse
Dysrhythmia or arrhythmia
Spaces between each pulse should be the same
Blood Pressure
The pressure the blood exerts against the inner walls of the blood vessels
The force that causes blood to continue to flow in the blood vessels
4
A closed system of the heart and blood vessels
The heart pumps blood
Blood vessels allow blood to circulate to all parts of the body
Functions of the cardiovascular system
Transport oxygen, nutrients, cell wastes, hormones to and from cells
It's the size of a human fist, weighing less than a pound
Located in the thoracic cavity, between the lungs in the inferior mediastinum
Orientation
Apex is directed toward left hip and rests on the diaphragm
Base points toward right shoulder
1
,2
,Vital Signs
Measurements of arterial pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and body temperature
Arterial pulse
Checked for rate and regularity
Alternate expansion and recoil of a blood vessel wall (the pressure wave) that occurs as
the heart beats
3
, Monitored at pressure points in superficial arteries, where pulse is easily palpated
Pulse averages 70 to 76 beats per minute at rest, in a healthy person
The posterior tibial artery and dorsalis pedis (medial malleolus bone) artery are important for
people with diabetes because their vessels constrict
Irregular Pulse
Dysrhythmia or arrhythmia
Spaces between each pulse should be the same
Blood Pressure
The pressure the blood exerts against the inner walls of the blood vessels
The force that causes blood to continue to flow in the blood vessels
4
