MedTerm.Ch.5-Cardiovascular System

ACE inhibitor

medication administered to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure

Anemia

a disorder characterized by lower than normal levels of red blood cells in the blood

aneurysm

a localized weak spot or balloon-like enlargement of the wall of an artery

Angina

episodes of severe chest pain due to inadequate blood flow to the myocardium

Angioplasty

mechanically widening a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel

anticoagulant

medication that slows coagulation and prevents new clots from forming

Aorta

The large trunk artery that carries blood from the left ventricle of the heart to branch arteries the largest blood vessel in the body.

aortic stenosis

also known as aortic valve stenosis, is a buildup of calcium and fat deposits in the aortic valve

arrhythmia

a loss of the normal rhythm of the heartbeat

atherectomy

he surgical removal of plaque buildup from the interior of an artery

Atherosclerosis

hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to a buildup of cholesterol plaque

automated external defibrillator

(AED) electronic equipment that externally shocks the heart to restore a normal cardiac rhythm

Atrial fibrillation

rapid uncontrolled twitching of the muscular wall of the atria

beta-blocker

medication administered to reduce the workload of the heart by slowing the rate of the heartbeat

Bradycardia

an abnormally slow resting heart rate, usually at a rate of less than 60 beats per minute

capillaries

only one epithelial cell in thickness, are the smallest blood vessels in the body

Cardiac arrest

an event in which the heart abruptly stops beating or develops an arrhythmia that prevents it from pumping blood effectively

Cardiac catheterization

a diagnostic and treatment procedure in which a catheter is passed into a vein or artery and guided into the heart

Cardiomyopathy

all diseases of the heart muscle

carotid endarterectomy

surgical removal of the lining of a portion of a clogged carotid artery

Cholesterol

a fatty substance that travels through the blood and is found in all parts of the body

Chronic venous insufficiency

a condition in which venous circulation is inadequate due to partial vein blockage or leakage of venous valves

Coronary artery disease

atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries that reduces the blood supply to the heart muscle

coronary thrombosis

damage to the heart muscle caused by a thrombus blocking a coronary artery

Defibrillation

the emergency use of electrical shock to restore the heart's normal rhythm

diastole

the period of relaxation that follows as the chambers refill with blood. This is also referred to as the diastolic phase

diuretic

medication administered to increase urine secretion to rid the body of excess salt and water

electrocardiogram

a record of the electrical activity of the myocardium

electrophysiologist

a doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of heart arrhythmias.

embolism

the sudden blockage of a blood vessel by an embolus

embolus

a foreign object, such as a blood clot, a quantity of air or gas, or a bit of tissue or tumor, that is circulating in the blood

Endocarditis

inflammation of the inner lining of the heart

Erythrocytes

a blood test based on the speed with which the red blood cells separate from the plasma and settle to the bottom of a specialized test tube

heart murmur

an abnormal sound of the heart; sometimes a sign of abnormal function of the heart valves

Hemostasis

to stop or control bleeding

hemoglobin

The oxygen-carrying blood protein pigment of the erythrocytes

hypoperfusion

a deficiency of blood passing through an organ or body part

ischemia

a condition in which there is an insufficient supply of oxygen in the tissues due to restricted blood flow to a part of the body

long QT syndrome

(LQTS) is an inherited or medically acquired heart rhythm disorder that can cause fast, chaotic, and potentially dangerous arrhythmias

Mitral valve prolapse

the backward leaking of blood that occurs when the mitral valve does not close tightly

myocardial infarction

the occlusion of one or more coronary arteries caused by plaque buildup

Orthostatic hypotension

low blood pressure that occurs upon standing up

pericardium

The double-walled membranous sac that encloses the heart

Peripheral Artery Disease

(LQTS) is an inherited or medically acquired heart rhythm disorder that can cause fast, chaotic, and potentially dangerous arrhythmias.

Phlebitis

inflammation of a vein

Raynaud's disease

a peripheral arterial occlusive disease in which intermittent attacks are triggered by cold or stress

sinoatrial node

(SA) node is located in the posterior wall of the right atrium near the entrance of the superior vena cava

Tachycardia

an abnormally rapid resting heartbeat usually at a rate of more than 100 beats per minute

Temporal arteritis

inflammation of the temporal arteries that can cause headache, visual impairment, or other symptoms

thallium stress test

nuclear imaging test performed to evaluate blood flow to the heart during exercise

thrombolytic

medication that dissolves or causes a thrombus to break up

thrombosis

the abnormal condition of having a thrombus

thrombotic occlusion

the blocking of an artery by a thrombus

thrombus

a blood clot attached to the interior wall of an artery or vein

Venous thromboembolism

a blood clot that originates in a vein