Structure and Function of the Cardiovascular System

Advanced Higher

Learning Outcomes

• Structure and function of the Cardiovascular system (CVS)

• Normal values for blood pressure, heart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output

Cardiovascular System

Double Pump and System of blood vessels:

• Arteries

• Capillaries

• Veins

Animations

• Heart beating

• Sound of heart beat

• Cardiac Cycle

Heart Rate/Stroke Volume

• Heart Rate = Pulse rate as arteries pulse every time the heart contracts.

• “Normal” average heart rate = 60-100bpm although can be 30-40 bpm in athletes

• Stroke Volume = volume of blood pumped out of the heart with each beat (70-150ml).

Cardiac Output

• Volume of blood pumped by each ventricle per minute

• Function of heart rate and stroke volume (ie. CO=HR x SV)

• Average 5ltrs per min

• Depends on physical fitness

Blood Pressure

• Force exerted by blood against wall of blood vessel

• Highest in arteries

• Read using a sphymomanometer

• Systolic BP/Diastolic BP (120/70 normal)

Typical Essay Question

• The cardiovascular system consists of the heart and blood vessels. Give an account of the structure and function of the different types of blood vessel (15 marks).

websites

• www.heartpoint.com

• http://library.med.utah.edu/kw/pharm/hyper_heart1.html

• www.abpischools.org.uk/res/coResourceImport/resources04/heart/heart4.cfm

• http://www.dundee.ac.uk/medther/Cardiology/hsmur.html

• http://www.bhf.org.uk/