Lesson 3: The Cardiovascular System - Flashcards

aorta

largest artery; carries blood from the heart to the body

aortic

valve between the left ventricle and aorta

arteries

carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart

arterioles

small arteries that lead to capillaries

capillaries

tiniest vessels where gas exchange happens

endocardium

inner lining of the heart

epicardium

outer protective layer of the heart

erythrocytes

red blood cells that carry oxygen

hemoglobin

iron protein in red cells that carries oxygen

inferior vena cava

large vein returning blood from abdomen and legs

leukocytes

white blood cells that fight infection

mitral or bicuspid

valve between the left atrium and left ventricle (2 cusps)

myocardium

thick middle muscle layer of the heart

pulmonary

valve between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery

superior vena cava

large vein returning blood from head and arms

thrombocytes

platelets that help blood clot

tricuspid

valve between the right atrium and right ventricle (3 cusps)

type AB+

universal recipient

type O+

most common U.S. blood type

type O-

universal donor

veins

carry blood back toward the heart

venules

small vessels that collect blood from capillaries

anemia

too few red blood cells

aneurysm

balloon-like bulge in a weakened artery wall

angina

chest pain from poor blood flow to the heart

angina (pectoris)

chest pain from poor blood flow to the heart

angina pectoris

chest tightness when plaque limits blood flow to the heart

arteriosclerosis

hardening and narrowing of the arteries

atrial fibrillation

rapid, irregular twitching of the atria

blood disorders

conditions affecting blood cells or platelets

chronic venous insufficiency

poor vein circulation from faulty valves or blockage

coronary artery disease (CAD)

coronary arteries narrowed by plaque

embolism

sudden blockage of a vessel by a traveling clot (embolus)

embolus

a clot or debris traveling in the bloodstream

heart disease

leading U.S. cause of death; from BP, cholesterol, smoking

hypercholesterolemia

high cholesterol in the blood

hypertension (HTN)

high blood pressure

iron-deficiency anemia

anemia from too little iron

leukemia

cancer of white blood cells

myocardial infarction (MI)

heart attack — heart muscle dies from blocked blood flow

pernicious anemia

anemia from poor vitamin B12 absorption

sepsis

life-threatening immune response to bloodstream infection

sickle cell anemia

genetic disorder making red cells sickle-shaped

sickle cell disease

red cells become stiff and sickle-shaped

thrombosis

having a clot (thrombus) that blocks a vessel

thrombotic occlusion

an artery blocked by a thrombus

thrombus

a clot stuck to a vessel wall

varicose veins

swollen twisted veins from faulty valves

ventricular tachycardia

dangerously fast heartbeat from the ventricles

angiography

x-ray of blood vessels using contrast dye

angioplasty

balloon (and stent) opening of a blocked vessel

cardiac ablation

catheter procedure that destroys tissue causing arrhythmias

cardiac catheterization

threading a catheter into the heart to test or treat it

carotid endarterectomy

surgery to clear plaque from the carotid artery

coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)

rerouting blood around a blocked coronary artery

defibrillation

electric shock to restore normal heart rhythm

echocardiography (echo)

ultrasound imaging of the heart

electrocardiogram

a record of the heart’s electrical activity

electrocardiography (ECG or EKG)

recording the heart’s electrical activity

holter monitor

portable ECG worn for 24 hours

pacemaker

implanted device that keeps the heart in rhythm

thallium stress test

test of blood flow to the heart during exercise

antiarrhythmics

drugs that correct abnormal heart rhythms

anticoagulants

blood thinners that prevent clots

antihypertensives

drugs that lower blood pressure

cholesterol-lowering drugs

drugs that reduce blood cholesterol

diuretics

water pills that remove excess fluid

thrombolytic

clot-busting drug that dissolves a thrombus

thrombolytics

clot-dissolving drugs

Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)

blood test of electrolytes, glucose, and kidney markers

Blood Gas Analysis

measures oxygen and carbon dioxide in blood

Blood Glucose Test

measures blood sugar level

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)

test of urea in blood; flags kidney/liver problems

Coagulation Panel

test for clotting disorders

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

test of red cells, white cells, hemoglobin, and platelets

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

blood test of 14 substances showing metabolism

Direct Antiglobulin Test

test for a hemolytic transfusion reaction

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Test

flags inflammation in the body

Fibrinogen Activity Test

measures fibrinogen to find bleeding causes

Lipid Panel

blood test of cholesterol and triglycerides

Newborn Screening Test

screens newborns for genetic/metabolic conditions

Total Protein Test

measures albumin and globulin in blood

AAA

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

AED

Automated external defibrillator

AMI

Acute myocardial infarction

BP

Blood pressure

CABG (pronounced "cabbage")

Coronary artery bypass graft

CAD

Coronary artery disease

CCU

Coronary care unit

CHF

Congestive heart failure

CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

ECG or EKG

Electrocardiogram

Echo

Echocardiogram

HDL

High-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol)

HTN

Hypertension

ICD

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

LDL

Low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol)

MI

Myocardial infarction

PVD

Peripheral vascular disease