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Weekly Overview: Week 2
HCS/214 Version 3
Weekly Overview
Week Three
Overview
In Week Two, you will learn the basic function and structure of the cardiovascular system, along with
some common terminology used. The heart, blood vessels, and blood are the main components of the
cardiovascular system. The continuous flow of blood is needed to sustain life, and the heart is the main
organ that causes blood to circulate. Arteries carry blood away from the heart, whereas the veins carry
blood toward the heart from other body parts. Pulmonary circulation is the circulation of blood from the
heart to the lungs. Systemic circulation is the circulation of blood from the heart to body tissues and back.
Blood is considered a main tissue of the human body that is responsible for transporting gases, protecting
the body against infections, and regulating pH and water levels.
There are different diseases that can affect the cardiovascular system, and medical testing is performed
to assess body functions and disease processes. To assign the correct diagnosis and procedure codes,
and to process accurate claims, you must first be able to read and comprehend medical documentation
that contains anatomy and physiology terms related to the cardiovascular system.
What you will cover
1. Cardiovascular System
The heart, blood vessels, and blood are the main components of the cardiovascular system. The
continuous flow of blood is needed to sustain life, and the heart is the main organ that causes blood
to circulate. Arteries carry blood away from the heart, whereas the veins carry blood towards the
heart from other body parts. Pulmonary circulation is the circulation of blood from the heart to the
lungs. Systemic circulation is the circulation of blood from the heart to body tissues and back. Blood is
considered a main tissue of the human body that is responsible for transporting gases, protecting the
body against infections, and regulating pH and water levels
a. Identify common medical terms for the cardiovascular system.
1) Atrium: two small upper chambers of the heart
2) Septum: the wall that divides the two atria
3) Ventricles: two lower chambers of the heart
4) Myocardium: the middle layer of the heart wall composed of cardiac muscle
5) Atrioventricular: the valves between each atrium and ventricle on the same side (right or left)
6) Veins: Blood is transported back to the heart through vessels. The smallest veins are called
venules.
7) Arteries: Vessels that carry blood away from the heart; smaller vessels are called arterioles.
The smallest vessels are capillaries. This is where the exchange of gas, nutrients, and waste
occur in the cells.
8) Systole: contraction of the heart muscle during the cardiac cycle (movement or pumping of
the heart)
9) Diastole: relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle (movement or pumping of the heart)
10) Plasma: straw-like liquid that comprises about 55% of blood volume (water, nutrients, salt,
carbon dioxide, and oxygen)
11) White blood cells: Types of white blood cell include neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.
White blood cells help fight infections by destroying invading bacteria; they also help fighting
cancers.
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Weekly Overview: Week 2
HCS/214 Version 3
12) Red blood cells: cells created by the bone marrow, containing iron (hemoglobin) and that aid
in transporting oxygen from the lungs to the cells in the body
13) Platelets: thrombocytes that aid in the blood’s ability to clot
14) Albumin: Protein found in the blood that aids in the repair of tissue and growth; albumin
originate in the liver.
15) Stenosis: an abnormal narrowing of a passage
b. Identify the structure and function of the cardiovascular and circulatory system.
1) Structure: The major components of the cardiovascular system include the heart (pumps
blood through the system), blood (a connective tissue that is a fluid component), and blood
vessels (transport the blood to and from the body’s cells). Pulmonary circulation includes
circulation to the lungs, whereas the systemic circulation includes the body tissues.
a) Chambers in the heart
(1) Four chambers
(2) Names of four chambers: Right and left atrium; right and left ventricle
b) Types of blood vessels
(1) Capillaries: The smallest arteries are capillaries. This is where the exchange of gas,
nutrients, and waste occur in the cells.
(2) Venules: the smallest veins
(3) Veins: vessels that bring blood back to the heart
(4) Arteries: vessels that carry blood away from the heart
c) Blood composition: Adults have approximately 4–5 liters of blood, making up
approximately 8% of total body weight. Due to the high levels oxygen, arteries are
brighter in color than veins. Blood composition includes plasma, platelets, red blood cells,
white blood cells, amino acids, gases, and electrolytes.
d) Circulation (pulmonary and systemic)
(1) Pulmonary: the complete circuit of blood traveling from the heart to the lungs
(2) Systemic: circulation of oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body and the
return of deoxygenated blood back to the heart
2) Function of blood
a) Transport: gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide), nutrients, waste products from the
kidneys and liver, and hormones; regulates body temperature
b) Protection: White blood cells destroy microorganisms and cancer cells. Antibodies
destroy pathogens. Platelet factors help prevent blood clot formation.
c) Regulation: Blood regulates the body’s pH levels and helps maintain water balance.
c. Describe major diseases that affect the cardiovascular system.
1) Pump issues (heart failure)
a) CHF (congestive heart failure): This a condition where the heart does not pump the blood
adequately. It can be caused by narrowing arteries, high blood pressure, obesity,
enlarges heart.
b) CHF right-sided heart failure: Fluid will back up into the legs, feet, and abdomen, causing
swelling.
c) CHF left-sided heart failure results in fluid backing up in the lungs, causing shortness of
breath.
2) Valvular insufficiency: There are several causes for valvular insufficiency. The most common
series is aortic stenosis. The valve narrows, reducing the amount of blood that can be
pumped to the body by the ventricle. The heart has to work harder to pump blood, resulting in
muscle damage and weakness to the heart.
3) Vessel problems
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Weekly Overview: Week 2
HCS/214 Version 3
a) Arteriosclerosis: hardening of the arteries and a condition in which plaque builds up on
the arteries, resulting in narrowing
b) Atherosclerosis (interchanged with arthrosclerosis): condition in which plaque builds up in
the inner lining of the blood vessel
c) Myocardial infarct: occurs when blood flow is restricted through one or more coronary
arteries, resulting in a lack of oxygen to the heart and causing tissue death; referred to as
a heart attack
d) Angina: chest pain; discomfort in the chest that occurs when the heart is not receiving
adequate oxygenated blood (not a heart attack)
4) Aneurysm: localized weakness in a blood vessel wall that can result in bulging or rupture; can
be life threatening
5) Hypertension: This is high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the result of blood being
pumped by the heart using the arteries. The force is a measurement that provides your blood
pressure reading. High blood pressure causes the heart to work harder to pump blood, which
causes the heart muscle to overcompensate by thickening the walls. Thick walls can cause
the heart to be too weak to effectively pump blood.
6) Blood issues and disorders
a) Anemia: less than normal amount of red blood cells, resulting in decreased oxygen in the
body
b) Thrombocytopenia-:fewer than normal circulating platelets, which can lead to excessive
bleeding
c) Hemophilia: a condition that prohibits clotting, resulting in increased bleeding time after
an injury, possible internal bleeding, or joint issues
d) Leukemia: A higher than normal amount of white blood cells is produced. This may be
due to a bone cancer
e) Embolus: This is a blood clot. An abnormal blood clot could restrict blood flow to the
heart, lungs, or brain.
d. Describe major laboratory and diagnostic tests used to assess cardiovascular diseases.
1) Plasma: Plasma blood tests can determine inflammation, cancers, and electrolyte issues.
2) White blood cells: Blood tests can determine white blood cell counts to assess for infection,
disease process, and cancers.
3) Red blood cells: Blood tests can determine red blood cell counts to assess for the anemia
disease process.
4) Platelets blood tests can determine platelet counts to assess for,clotting issues and disease
process.
5) Blood types: Assess a patient’s blood type (A, B, AB, or O). Rh testing will assess Rh
negative or Rh positive blood for blood types.
6) Blood clotting: Blood tests can determine coagulation issues to assess for disease process.
7) EKG or ECG (electrocardiogram) testing: The test checks for electrical activity problems in
the heart.
8) Cardiac enzymes: a blood test that measures proteins and enzymes in the blood, which can
indicate levels of damage to the heart muscle (heart attack)
9) Cardiac stress test: testing performed to assess how the heart works under physical stress,
such as walking, bike riding, or running. Testing is performed in a stress test department.
Patients are connected to heart monitors while they exercise, and heart activity is monitored.
10) Chest X-ray: noninvasive testing that produces an image of the chest, including the heart,
lungs, vessels, and bones to assess for any abnormality
11) Angiogram, arteriogram, and venogram: X-ray tests that can monitor the blood flow within
arteries to assess for any narrowing or blockage
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Weekly Overview: Week 2
HCS/214 Version 3
12) Vital signs are clinical measurements that include a patient’s temperature, heart rate,
respiratory rate, and blood pressure. The measurements are used to help detect
abnormalities. There are normal range parameters, and if a value is too high or too low, it
could be an indication of disease process.
e. Describe the main health care providers for the cardiovascular department.
1) Cardiovascular
a) Cardiologists specialize in disorders of the heart and the circulatory system. Cardiology is
the study, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions pertaining to the heart or the circulatory
system.
b) Vascular surgeon: a physician who specializes in the surgical treatment of diseases that
affects the vascular system
c) Cardiac surgeon: a physician who specializes in the surgical treatment of diseases that
affect the heart
d) Cardiothoracic surgeon: a physician who specializes in surgical treatment of organs in
the chest
Note. The section below represents material covered in HCS/235. This information could
be reinforced as you discuss the major providers of each system.
2) Other providers
a) The attending physician or staff physician is responsible for diagnosing the patient and
directing the care of the patient. The attending physician generally has more experience
and has completed all resident and fellowship requirements and will oversee the care of
the patient. They will generally consult with specialists and manage the ongoing
treatment of the patient.
b) The resident physician is in training as a physician and consults with the staff or attending
physician before rendering a final diagnosis. The resident physician will order treatment
and examine the patient, but will consult with the attending physician.
c) The fellow physician is a physician in training in a specialty after completing residency
requirements.
d) Registered nurse: Graduate nurses from associate, bachelors, masters, or doctorate
program are legally authorized to practice after passing a state board exam. The
registered nurse is responsible for carrying out physician orders, administering
medications, performing treatment and procedures, and developing a patient care plan.
Registered nurses may obtain additional licensure to practice as a nurse practitioner
working directly with physicians in primary patient care.
e) Licensed practical nurse (LPN): The LPN works under the supervision of a registered
nurse. The LPN can administered medications and some IV medications, depending on
state laws, and performs treatments. The LPN receives 12–18 months of training and is
also required to take a state board examination.
f) Nursing assistant and nurse’s aide: The nursing assistant or nurse’s aid works under the
direct supervision of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse performing personal
care to patients such as dressing, bathing, helping with ambulation and exercises, and
checking vital signs. Certified nursing assistant programs are generally 8–12 weeks in
length.
g) Medical assistant: The medical assistant performs medical, administrative, and clinical
tests and may perform some basic functions in billing and coding after receiving training.
The medical assistant program is generally 9–24 months, and there are certificate
examinations to include the certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA) or the certified
medical assistant (CMA). The medical assistant generally works in physician offices or
outpatient facilities.
h) Medical administrative assistant: The medical administrative assistant assists in
performing office tasks and some basic medical billing and coding after receiving training.
The tasks do not include patient care.
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Weekly Overview: Week 2
HCS/214 Version 3
i)
Medical billing and coding specialists: The biller and coders are responsible for billing and
coding patient claims for all services rendered in a variety of health care settings in the
medical records, coding, and billing departments. The biller and coder must demonstrate
knowledge in coding, medical terminology, and anatomy and physiology.
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