Hemoglobin

Atria

the two upper chambers of the heart

Chambers divided by interatrial septum

Ventricles

the two lower chambers of the heart

Chambers divided by interventricular septum

Tricuspid Valve

controls the opening between the right atrium and the right ventricle

Pulmonary Semilunar Valve

located between right ventricle and pulmonary artery

Mitral Valve

Located between left atrium and left ventricle

Aortic semilunar valve

Located between left ventricle and aorta

Blood vessels

Transport blood to and from all areas of the body

Angi/o, Vas/o

Blood or lymph vessels

Arteries

Transport blood away from the heart to all body parts

Arteri/o

Arteries

Veins

Return blood from all body parts to the heart

Ven/o, Phleb/o

Veins

Capillaries

Permit the exchange of nutrients and waste products between the blood and the cells

Capill/o

Capillaries

Blood

Brings oxygen and nutrients to the cells

Carries away waste

Hem/o, hemat/o

Blood, relating to blood

Aort/o

Aorta

Ather/o

Plaque, fatty substance

Brady

Slow

Cardi/o

Heart

Crasia

A mixture or blending

Emia

Blood, blood condition

Erythr/o

Red

Leuk/o

White

Tachy

Fast, rapid

Thromb/o

Clot

Aneurysm

A located weak spot or balloon-like enlargement of the wall of an artery. Can be fatal if the aneurysm bursts because the rapid loss of blood or hemorrhage

Angioplasty

surgical repair to widen a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel.

-Plasty

Surgical repair

Anticoagulant

Slows coagulation and prevents new clots forming. Coagulation is the process of clotting blood. Example: Coumadin

Arrhythmia

Is the loss of normal rhythm of the heartbeat. Usually cause by an abnormality in the electrical conduction system of the heart. Can be minor and temporary episode, or can be fatal

Beta blocker

Reduces the workload of the heart by slowing the rate of the heartbeat. Commonly prescribed to lower blood pressure, relieve angina, or to treat heart failure

Bradycardia

Is an abnormally slow resting heart rate. Usually applied to a heartbeat rate of less than 60 beats per minute

Cardiomyopathy

Is the term to describe all diseases of the heart muscle

Thrombus

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

Throm

Clot

Coronary Thrombus

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

Coron

Crown

Osis

Abnormal condition

Diuretic

Is administered to stimulate the kidneys to increase the secretion of urine to rid the body of excess sodium and water. Medications are administered to treat hypertension heart failure by reducing the amount of fluid circulating in the blood.

Electrocardiogram

(EKG or ECG) Is a record of the electrical activity of the myocardium (is the muscle in the heart that is constantly contracting and relaxing that creates the pumping movement of blood)

Embolism

Is the sudden blockage of a blood vessel by an embolus ( a foreign object, such as a blood clot )

Hemoglobin

Is the oxygen-carrying blood protein pigment of red blood cells or erythrocytes

Hemostasis

Means to stop or control bleeding. This could be accomplished by the formation of a blood clot by the body or through the external application of pressure to block the flow of blood

Ischemic Heart Disease

Is a group of cardiac disabilities resulting from an insufficient supply of oxygenated blood to the heart. Usually associated with coronary artery disease. Disruption of the blood supply to the heart.

Myocardial Infarction

Commonly known as heart attack. Occlusion or blockage of one or more coronary arteries caused by plaque buildup. Infarction is a sudden insufficiency of blood.

Orthostatic Hypotension

Is low blood pressure that occurs when going from being supine (laying down on back) or sitting to standing. Also known as postural hypotension.

Pericardium

The double walled membranous sac that encloses the heart

Raynaud's Disease

Peripheral arterial occlusive disease in which intermittent attacks are triggered by cold or stress. Symptoms, which are to constricted circulation, include pallor (paleness), cyanosis (blue color), and redness of the fingers and toes.

Tachycardia

Is an abnormally rapid resting heart rate. Usually applied to a heartbeat greater than 100 beats per minute. Tachy-rapid, card-heart, -ia- abnormal condition.

Thrombolytic

Known as a clot-busting drug, to dissolve or causes a thrombus to break up

Thrombosis

Is the abnormal condition of having a thrombus

Ventricular fibrillation

Know as V-fib, which consists of rapid, irregular, and useless contractions of the ventricles. Instead of pumping strongly, heart muscle quivers ineffectively.

Ventricular Tachycardia

Known as V-tach, is a very rapid heartbeat that begins within the ventricles. Potentially fatal because the heart is beating so rapidly that is is unable to adequately pump blood through the body.