Cardiovascular Disorders and Treatments

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to cardiovascular disorders, their assessments, and treatments.

Cardiac

Relating to the heart.

Pericardium

The fibrous sac surrounding the heart.

Heart Valves

Structures that regulate blood flow through the heart.

Aorta

The main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

Congenital defects

Heart abnormalities present at birth.

Echocardiography

Ultrasound imaging used to assess the heart's structure and function.

Turbulent flow

Irregular or chaotic blood flow often associated with valve dysfunction.

Anticoagulants

Medications that help prevent blood clots.

Thrombus

A blood clot that forms in a blood vessel.

Regurgitation

Backflow of blood through a valve that fails to close properly.

Stenosis

Narrowing of a valve that restricts blood flow.

Ejection Fraction (EF)

The percentage of blood expelled from the heart during contraction.

Stroke Volume

The amount of blood ejected from the heart with each beat.

Cardiac Output

The total volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute.

Dysrhythmia

Abnormal heart rhythms caused by irregularities in electrical signal conduction.

Rheumatic fever

A systemic inflammatory disease that can result from untreated streptococcal infection.

Myxomatous degeneration

A weakening of connective tissue in the heart valves.

Acute pericarditis

Inflammation of the pericardium, often causing chest pain.

Cardiac tamponade

An emergency condition where fluid accumulates in the pericardial cavity.

Mitral valve prolapse

A condition where the mitral valve bulges into the left atrium.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

A condition where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick.

Dilated cardiomyopathy

A condition characterized by the enlargement of the heart's chambers.

Restrictive cardiomyopathy

A condition where the heart muscle becomes rigid.

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)

A blood circulation disorder affecting the blood vessels outside the heart and brain.

Valve replacement

A surgical procedure to replace a damaged heart valve.

Valvuloplasty

A surgical procedure to repair a heart valve.

Atrial fibrillation

An irregular and often rapid heart rate due to chaotic electrical signals.

Aortic regurgitation

A condition where the aortic valve does not close tightly, allowing blood to flow back into the heart.

Mitral regurgitation

A condition where the mitral valve leaks, allowing blood to flow backward into the atrium.

Chronic venous insufficiency

A condition where veins cannot pump enough blood back to the heart.

Acute coronary syndrome

A term used for any condition that suddenly reduces blood flow to the heart.

Myocardial infarction

A heart attack, resulting from the loss of blood supply to cardiac muscle.

Cardiac dysrhythmias

Disturbances in the rhythm of the heart.

Ischemia

Insufficient blood supply to the heart tissue.

Vasculitis

Inflammation of the blood vessels.

Echocardiogram

A graphic outline of heart movement used in echocardiography.

Coronary artery disease

A condition caused by the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries.

Endocarditis

Inflammation of the inner layer of the heart, often due to infection.

Pericardiocentesis

A procedure to remove excess fluid from the pericardial space.

Systolic pressure

The pressure in the arteries during the contraction of the heart.

Diastolic pressure

The pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats.

Holter monitor

A portable device used to continuously monitor heart rhythms.

Friction rub

A scratchy sound heard through a stethoscope, indicative of pericarditis.

Thromboembolism

A blood clot that has moved and lodges in a different part of the body.

Doppler echocardiography

A test that uses sound waves to measure blood flow through the heart.

Catheterization

A procedure to access the heart via a blood vessel.

Pacemaker

A device that regulates the heartbeat.

Aschoff bodies

Pathological lesions seen in rheumatic fever associated with inflammation.

Lactate dehydrogenase

An enzyme indicative of tissue breakdown, often elevated in heart damage.

Beta-blockers

Medications that reduce heart rate and decrease blood pressure.

Auscultation

The act of listening to sounds made by the heart during a physical exam.

Pulmonary circulation

The circuit by which blood flows from the heart to the lungs and back.

Systemic circulation

The circuit by which blood flows from the heart to the rest of the body.