Chapter 19: The Circulatory or Cardiovascular System

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to the circulatory or cardiovascular system, based on the provided lecture notes.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

A test that records the electrical activity of the heart and can detect arrhythmias and other cardiac problems.

William Einthoven

Dutch doctor who invented the electrocardiogram (EKG) and won the 1924 Nobel Prize in Medicine.

Anemia

A condition in which the amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin is lower than normal.

Angina

Chest pain, pressure, or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.

Arrhythmia

An irregular heartbeat.

Artery

A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.

Atria

The upper two chambers of the heart.

Capillaries

Tiny blood vessels where the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste occurs between blood and cells.

Cardiomyopathy

Weakening of the heart muscle due to enlargement or thickening, reducing its pumping ability.

Compression stockings

Elastic stockings used to prevent swelling, promote circulation, and help prevent blood clots; also called anti-embolic or elastic stockings.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Condition in which the heart muscle is damaged and fails to pump blood effectively.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Condition in which the coronary arteries become damaged and narrow over time, leading to chest pain and other symptoms.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Formation of a blood clot in a large vein, most often in the leg.

Diastole

Phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle relaxes.

Embolism

Blockage of a blood vessel by a blood clot or foreign substance.

Heart

Four-chambered pump responsible for circulating blood throughout the body.

Hypoxia

Condition in which body tissues do not receive enough oxygen.

Ischemia

Lack of blood supply to a tissue or area.

Myocardial Ischemia

Condition in which the heart muscle does not receive enough blood and oxygen, potentially causing angina.

Nitroglycerin

Medication that relaxes the walls of the coronary arteries to improve blood flow.

Occlusion

Complete obstruction of a blood vessel.

Orthopnea

Shortness of breath when lying down that is relieved by sitting up.

Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)

Condition in which the legs, feet, arms, or hands have inadequate blood circulation.

Phlebitis

Inflammation of the veins, usually in the lower extremities.

Pulmonary Edema

Accumulation of fluid in the lungs, often due to heart failure.

Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

Blockage of the pulmonary artery, usually by a blood clot.

Sequential Compression Device (SCD)

Plastic, air-filled sleeve placed around the leg that inflates and deflates to improve circulation and reduce fluid buildup.

Stable Angina

Chest pain that occurs during activity or stress and is relieved by rest or medication.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)

A serious, often fatal condition involving abrupt loss of heart function, breathing, and consciousness.

Systole

Phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart contracts and pushes blood out of the left ventricle.

Thrombus

A blood clot formed within a blood vessel.

Unstable Angina

Chest pain occurring at rest or with minimal exertion, indicating higher risk of heart attack.

Vein

A blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart.

Ventricles

The lower two chambers of the heart.