Tag: blood

  • What is a Vasovagal Syncope response?

    Vasovagal syncope, also known as neurocardiogenic syncope or reflex syncope, is the most common cause of fainting, accounting for approximately 50% of all syncopal episodes. It occurs when there is a sudden drop in blood pressure and heart rate, causing a temporary loss of consciousness. This condition is typically benign and not associated with any…

  • Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic Nervous System in Paramedicine

    The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are two branches of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiration and digestion. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the “fight or flight” response, while the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the “rest and digest” response. Sympathetic Nervous…

  • Haematoma vs Contusion: A Detailed Comparison

    A haematoma is a localised collection of blood outside blood vessels, typically caused by injury. On the other hand, a contusion, often referred to as a bruise, occurs when small blood vessels under the skin break due to external force. Haematomas often exhibit localised swelling and skin discolouration, while contusions are recognisable by skin discolouration.…

  • Pallor vs Cyanosis comparison

    Pallor refers to an unhealthy pale appearance of the skin, whereas cyanosis refers to a bluish discolouration of the skin due to lack of oxygen in the blood. Pallor Pallor is a medical term that refers to an abnormally pale appearance of the skin and mucous membranes. The pathophysiology of pallor can be related to…

  • Preload vs Afterload in cardiac function

    Preload and afterload are two important factors that affect the function of the heart. Both play crucial roles in determining the function of the heart and the overall efficiency of the circulatory system. Abnormalities in either preload or afterload can have significant implications for cardiac function and overall cardiovascular health. Preload Preload is the amount…

  • Cardiac Output – CO = SV x HR

    Cardiac Output = Stroke Volume x Heart RateCO = SV x HR Cardiac Output is a measure of the amount of blood pumped by the heart in one minute. It is calculated by multiplying the stroke volume (the amount of blood pumped out of the heart with each beat) by the heart rate (the number…

  • Acidosis – Respiratory & Metabolic

    Respiratory acidosis and metabolic acidosis are two different types of acidosis that can occur in the body. Respiratory acidosis is caused by an inability of the lungs to remove enough carbon dioxide from the body. This leads to an accumulation of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, which combines with water to form carbonic acid and…

  • Alkalosis – Respiratory & Metabolic

    There are two main types of alkalosis: respiratory alkalosis and metabolic alkalosis. Respiratory alkalosis occurs when there is a decrease in carbon dioxide levels in the body due to hyperventilation or rapid breathing. This can be caused by various factors such as anxiety, panic attacks, high altitude, fever or certain lung diseases. When the carbon…

  • Cardiac Cycle

    The cardiac cycle is the sequence of events that occur in the heart during one complete heartbeat, starting with the contraction (systole) of the ventricles, followed by the relaxation (diastole) of the ventricles. The cycle includes the filling of the ventricles with blood during diastole and the ejection of blood into the circulatory system during…

  • Hydrostatic vs Plasma Oncotic Pressure

    Hydrostatic pressure and plasma oncotic pressure are both related to the flow of fluid in and out of blood vessels, but they work in different ways and have different functions. Hydrostatic Pressure Hydrostatic pressure refers to the force exerted by a fluid (in this case, blood) against the walls of a container (in this case,…