Understanding cardiac physiology 101 – the sarcomere

starling curve 001

This is the complex physiology of HPV (hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction)

as explained earlier.

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It is important to understand the basic structure of the cardiac muscle and

its functioning in the heart.

This is the SARCOMERE.

The sarcomere is the basic functional unit of any muscle unit (fascicle).

It is the basic contractile unit in any muscle.

Think of a sarcomere analogous to a shock absorber of a car.

It is important to realize that it, like Goldilocks, may find that it can be

OVERSTRETCHED, UNDERSTRETCHED, or “JUST RIGHT”.

The sarcomere is overstretched in the case of CHF.

The sarcomere is understretched in the case of dehydration / “alcohol poisoning”.

The sarcomere is “just right” most of our lives.

 

 

 

 

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