The Cardiovascular System at a Glance

Synopsis

Everything you need to know about the cardiovascular system... at a Glance!

The Cardiovascular System at a Glance is the essential reference guide to understanding all things circulatory. Concise, accessible, and highly illustrated, this latest edition presents an integrated overview of the subject, from the basics through to application. Featuring brand new content on stroke, examination and imaging, heart block and ECGs, and myopathies and channelopathies, The Cardiovascular System at a Glance goes one step further and offers new and updated clinical case studies and multiple-choice questions on a supplementary website.

• Integrates basic science and clinical topics
• Offers bite-size chapters that make topics easy to digest
• Includes coverage of anatomy and histology, blood and haemostasis, cellular physiology, form and function, regulation and integration of cardiovascular function, history, examination and investigations, pathology and therapeutics
• Filled with highly visual, colour illustrations that enhance the text and help reinforce learning

The fifth edition of The Cardiovascular System at a Glance is an ideal resource for medical students, junior doctors, students of other health professions, and specialist cardiology nurses.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Heart

- Anatomy and Physiology: Discusses the structure and function of the heart, including its chambers, valves, and conduction system.
- Example: The heart pumps oxygenated blood to the body through the aorta and deoxygenated blood to the lungs through the pulmonary artery.

Chapter 2: The Blood Vessels

- Arteries, Capillaries, and Veins: Examines the different types of blood vessels and their role in transporting blood throughout the body.
- Example: Arteries have thick walls to withstand high blood pressure and carry oxygenated blood away from the heart.

Chapter 3: The Blood

- Composition and Function: Explains the components of blood, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma, and their roles in oxygen transport, immunity, and coagulation.
- Example: Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which binds to oxygen and transports it throughout the body.

Chapter 4: Cardiac Cycle and Hemodynamics

- Heart Sounds and Electrocardiograms (ECGs): Describes the sequence of events during the cardiac cycle and the electrical changes associated with it.
- Example: The first heart sound (S1) is produced by the closure of the atrioventricular valves, while the second heart sound (S2) is produced by the closure of the semilunar valves.

Chapter 5: Cardiac Output and Blood Pressure

- Regulation of Cardiac Output: Discusses the factors that influence cardiac output, including heart rate, stroke volume, and ejection fraction.
- Example: Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood on the walls of blood vessels and is influenced by cardiac output and peripheral resistance.

Chapter 6: The Cardiovascular System in Health and Disease

- Common Cardiovascular Diseases: Provides an overview of common cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, and heart failure.
- Example: Hypertension is a condition where blood pressure is consistently elevated, increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications such as stroke or heart attack.

Chapter 7: Investigations and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease

- Diagnostic Tests: Discusses various tests used to diagnose cardiovascular diseases, such as blood tests, imaging techniques (e.g., echocardiography, angiography), and electrocardiograms.
- Example: Echocardiography is an ultrasound technique used to visualize the heart and assess its function.

Chapter 8: Lifestyle and Prevention

- Risk Factors and Prevention: Highlights the importance of lifestyle modifications, such as exercise, healthy diet, and smoking cessation, in preventing cardiovascular disease.
- Example: Regular exercise helps strengthen the heart and improve blood pressure control, reducing the risk of cardiovascular events.