Cardiovascular System Abbreviations and Acronyms

AAA

abdominal aortic aneurysm that is an abnormal enlargement of the abdominal aorta, which can lead to serious complications if it ruptures.

AED

automated external defibrillator that is a device used to deliver an electrical shock to restore a normal heart rhythm in cases of sudden cardiac arrest.

AMI

acute myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked, leading to damage or death of heart muscle.

BP

blood pressure, which is the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, crucial for maintaining adequate organ perfusion.

CABG

coronary artery bypass grafting, a surgical procedure that improves blood flow to the heart by redirecting blood around blocked arteries.

CAD

coronary artery disease, a condition characterized by the narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis, which can lead to chest pain and heart attacks.

CAD

A condition where coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked due to plaque buildup, potentially causing chest pain and heart attacks.

CCU

coronary care unit, a specialized area in a hospital for monitoring and treating patients with severe heart conditions.

CHF

congestive heart failure, a chronic condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs and other parts of the body.

CPR

a lifesaving procedure used in emergencies when someone's heartbeat or breathing has stopped, involving chest compressions and rescue breaths.

ECG or EKG

a test that records the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time.

echo

a test that uses sound waves to produce images of the heart, allowing assessment of its function and structure (echocardiogram)

HDL

a type of lipoprotein that removes cholesterol from the bloodstream and transports it to the liver for excretion (high density lipoprotein)

HTN

a medical condition characterized by elevated blood pressure in the arteries, commonly known as hypertension.

ICD

an implantable device that monitors heart rhythms and delivers electrical shock to restore normal rhythm (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator)

LDL

a type of lipoprotein that carries cholesterol to cells and can lead to plaque buildup in arteries (low density lipoprotein)

MI

a medical emergency where blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, commonly known as a myocardial infarction.

PVD

a circulatory condition affecting blood vessels outside of the heart and brain, often resulting in reduced blood flow to the limbs (peripheral vascular disease)