Cardiovascular System Disorders and Terminology

Flashcards reviewing key medical terms, word roots, and clinical descriptions of cardiac and vascular conditions from Chapters 1 through 7.

What is the primary focus of a cardiologist?

A cardiologist is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating abnormalities, diseases, and disorders of the heart.

What medical specialty does an electrophysiologist practice?

An electrophysiologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of heart arrhythmias.

What conditions does a vascular surgeon specialize in treating?

A vascular surgeon specializes in the diagnosis, management, and surgical treatment of disorders of the blood vessels, such as peripheral artery disease and varicose veins.

What is the role of a telemetry nurse?

A telemetry nurse specializes in using technology within a hospital unit to track vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rhythms, and oxygen levels.

What is the leading cause of death in The United States according to the text?

Heart disease.

What are congenital heart defects?

Congenital heart defects are structural abnormalities caused by the failure of the heart to develop normally before birth.

What is ventricular septal defect (VSD)?

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common type of congenital heart defect and is characterized by a hole between the two ventricles.

What are the alternative names for coronary artery disease (CAD)?

Coronary heart disease (CHD) and ischemic heart disease.

What is atherosclerosis and where does it occur?

Atherosclerosis is the hardening and narrowing of the arteries caused by a buildup of cholesterol plaque on the anterior walls in the lumen of an artery.

What do the word roots "arthro" and "sclerosis" mean?

"Arthro" means plaque or fatty substance, and "sclerosis" means abnormal hardening.

What is the lumen of a blood vessel?

The lumen is the opening within blood vessels through which the blood flows.

What is the difference between inward and outward vascular remodeling?

Inward remodeling reduces the vessel size, whereas outward remodeling enlarges it without narrowing the lumen, though outward remodeling can lead to a rupture.

What is ischemia?

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

How do stable and unstable angina differ?

Stable angina occurs during exertion or exercise and resolves with rest, whereas unstable angina may occur during exertion or rest and acts as a precursor to a myocardial infarction.

What defines a myocardial infarction?

A myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, is the total blockage or occlusion of one or more coronary arteries caused by plaque buildup.

What is the distinction between an infarction, an infarct, and necrosis?

Infarction is a sudden insufficiency of blood; an infarct is a localized area of dead tissue caused by a lack of blood; necrosis is tissue death.

What are the common symptoms of a myocardial infarction, and how do they differ in women?

Common symptoms include pain or pressure in the middle of the chest spreading to the back, jaw, or left arm. Women are more likely to experience atypical symptoms including weakness and fatigue.

What occurs in congestive heart failure?

The heart is unable to pump out all the blood it receives, causing fluid buildup (congestion) that results in edema, such as fluid accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary edema).

What characterizes left-sided heart failure?

Left-sided heart failure is defined as systolic or diastolic failure depending on whether pumping or relaxing is affected; because the left ventricle is larger, failure means more work to move the same amount of blood.

What causes right-sided heart failure and where is edema first noticeable?

Right-sided heart failure is often the result of left-sided heart failure and causes fluid buildup throughout the body; due to gravity, edema is first noticeable in the feet and legs.

What is cardiomegaly?

Cardiomegaly is an abnormal enlargement of the heart that is frequently associated with heart failure as the heart enlarges to compensate for its decreased pumping ability.

Why is the word root "card-" used instead of "cardio-" in the term "carditis"?

The root "card-" is used inside of "cardio-" to avoid having a double "i" when joined with the suffix "-itis".

What is endocarditis, and how can dental surgery contribute to infective endocarditis?

Endocarditis is inflammation of the inner lining of the heart. Dental surgery can cause bleeding that allows bacteria from the mouth to enter the bloodstream, causing infective or bacterial endocarditis.

What is pericarditis and how does it affect heart function?

Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium that causes fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac, restricting heart movement and reducing its pumping ability.

What is myocarditis?

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the myocardium or heart muscle that develops as a rare complication of a viral infection.

What is dilated cardiomyopathy?

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that causes the heart to enlarge and pump less strongly, progressing slowly with symptoms presenting when quite advanced.

What is a heart murmur?

A heart murmur is an abnormal blowing or clicking sound heard when listening to the heart or neighboring large blood vessels, most often caused by defective heart valves.

What is mitral valve prolapse?

Mitral valve prolapse is the abnormal protrusion of a mitral valve that results in the inability of the valve to close completely.

What is aortic stenosis and who is most affected by it?

Aortic stenosis is a buildup of calcium and fat deposits in the aortic valve that prevents the valve from opening fully; it is most prevalent in adults over age 65.

What happens during mitral valve regurgitation?

Mitral valve regurgitation (also called insufficiency or incompetency) occurs when the mitral valve does not close tightly, allowing blood to leak back through the opening.