Unit 4.2 Review PBS

In what ways can technology be used to collect and analyze cardiovascular data

• Heart rate monitors and EKG can pick up the electrical signals sent through the heart by measuring impulses in the skin.

• Sphygmomanometer (Blood pressure cuffs) can be linked to a computer to measure blood pressure.

Why is it important to monitor the rate at which the heart beats? What factors can influence

heart rate • In emergencies heart rate can tell

us if the heart is working properly and pumping enough blood

• Needs to be monitored if on certain medications or if you have a disease that lowers heart rate

• Check your overall fitness/stress levels

• Can be used to find the cause of symptoms such as lethargy and chest pain.

What is blood pressure? How do systolic and diastolic blood pressure values relate to the

movement of blood in arteries?• Blood pressure is the amount

of force placed on the arteries

• It is taken using a Sphygmomanometer

• Systolic Blood pressure is the amount of pressure when a pulse is first heard when pressure is released.

• Diastolic pressure is the amount of pressure when the pulse is no longer heard again.

How do systolic and diastolic blood pressure values relate to the movement of blood in arteries?

What factors can influence blood pressure?

• Systolic BP is when the heart is beating and should be below 120. Anything higher is either prehypertension or hypertension.

• Diastolic BP is when the heart is at rest and should be below 80.

Ventricular Hypertrophy

What is an EKG? • EKG (Electrocardiogram)

measures the electric impulse through the heart

• SA node “pacemaker” signals atrium to contract (forms P wave)

• AV node receives signal from SA node

• Purkinje fibers signal ventricles to contract (forms QRS complex

• T-wave – ventricles relax

How can an EKG be used in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease?

• EKG’s can be used to identify cause of heart diseases for example: Atrial Fibrillation shows multiple small P waves, which means the SA node is not firing correctly.