The cardiovascular system consists of the heart and blood vessels, and has the main purposes of circulating blood throughout the body to deliver oxygen and remove waste. Several tests can evaluate the health of the cardiovascular system, including cardiac enzyme tests to detect heart damage, Doppler ultrasound to diagnose blood clots, and stress tests to evaluate cardiovascular fitness by monitoring the heart during increasing levels of exercise.

1. The Cardiovascular
System

2. The Cardiovascular System

Purpose:
Maintain blood distribution throughout the body
 Deliver oxygen to cells and tissues
 Removes waste such as carbon dioxide


Also known as the circulatory system

3. Cardiovascular Composition

The cardiovascular system is composed of 2
main parts:

The heart

Blood vessels – arteries, capillaries and veins

4. Cardiovascular Procedures

In order to determine the health and
effectiveness of the cardiovascular system, many
tests and procedures can be performed including
Cardiac Enzymes
 Doppler ultrasound
 Holter monitor
 Cardiac scan
 Stress test
 Echocardiography

Extracorporeal circulation
Ligation and stripping
Thrombolytic therapy
PTAC

5. Cardiac Enzymes

Clinical laboratory test, also known as a cardiac
marker test

Determines the levels of enzymes in the blood
specific to the heart muscle

An increase in these enzymes can indicate heart
muscle damage such as a myocardial infarction
(MI), or heart attack

6. Cardiac Enzymes

Many enzymes may be
tested for, including:




Troponin – released after
an MI
Creatine Kinase – can
indicate an MI
Myoglobin – may indicate
heart muscle damage
Lactate dehydrogenase –
released during muscle
damage

7. Cardiac Enzymes

Cardiac enzyme tests can are used to determine
the possibility of damage to the heart

Further testing is usually performed to verify the
extent of the damage

Cardiac enzymes may take several hours to
accumulate in the body, making it difficult to
diagnose an acute myocardial infarction

8. Doppler Ultrasound



Measurement of sound wave echoes as they
bounce off tissues and organs to produce an
image
Used in the cardiovascular system to measure
the velocity of blood flowing through blood
vessels
Can be used to diagnose blood clots or deep
vein thromboses

9. Doppler Ultrasound



Blood Clots, or thrombus is a clot of blood
within a vessel which can slow down or stop the
flow of blood completely
Deep vein thromboses is the formation of a clot
within a deep vein, mainly in the legs
These are potentially life threatening conditions,
as the clots can detach, or embolize, and travel
into the lungs

10. Doppler Ultrasound

Doppler ultrasound
testing can be used to
determine the location of
any potential clots

11. Stress Test

Test conducted to evaluate cardiovascular fitness

Involves the patient performing some type of
exercise with increasing intensity

While performing these activities, the patient’s
heart will be monitored using a EKG machine,
and oxygen levels or blood pressure may also be
monitored

12. Stress Test

EKG, or
electrocardiography, is a
way to monitor the
electrical impulses of the
heart

Involves multiple
electrodes connected to
specific areas on a
patient’s chest

13. Stress Test

Stress tests are usually
conducted on a treadmill
or stationary bike

If any abnormalities are
seen on the EKG, the
test is stopped and
further investigation of
the heart is required

14. Cardiovascular Test

These are just 3 of the many tests that can be
performed on the cardiovascular system

To ensure a healthy heart, regular exercise and a
healthy diet are recommended

Activities such as smoking can lead to a higher
risk of cardiac disease

15. Cardiovascular System