Studied by 65 peopleACE inhibitor
medication administered to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure
Anemia
a disorder characterized by lower than normal levels of red blood cells in the blood
aneurysm
a localized weak spot or balloon-like enlargement of the wall of an artery
Angina
episodes of severe chest pain due to inadequate blood flow to the myocardium
Angioplasty
mechanically widening a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel
anticoagulant
medication that slows coagulation and prevents new clots from forming
Aorta
The large trunk artery that carries blood from the left ventricle of the heart to branch arteries the largest blood vessel in the body.
aortic stenosis
also known as aortic valve stenosis, is a buildup of calcium and fat deposits in the aortic valve
arrhythmia
a loss of the normal rhythm of the heartbeat
atherectomy
he surgical removal of plaque buildup from the interior of an artery
Atherosclerosis
hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to a buildup of cholesterol plaque
automated external defibrillator
(AED) electronic equipment that externally shocks the heart to restore a normal cardiac rhythm
Atrial fibrillation
rapid uncontrolled twitching of the muscular wall of the atria
beta-blocker
medication administered to reduce the workload of the heart by slowing the rate of the heartbeat
Bradycardia
an abnormally slow resting heart rate, usually at a rate of less than 60 beats per minute
capillaries
only one epithelial cell in thickness, are the smallest blood vessels in the body
Cardiac arrest
an event in which the heart abruptly stops beating or develops an arrhythmia that prevents it from pumping blood effectively
Cardiac catheterization
a diagnostic and treatment procedure in which a catheter is passed into a vein or artery and guided into the heart
Cardiomyopathy
all diseases of the heart muscle
carotid endarterectomy
surgical removal of the lining of a portion of a clogged carotid artery
Cholesterol
a fatty substance that travels through the blood and is found in all parts of the body
Chronic venous insufficiency
a condition in which venous circulation is inadequate due to partial vein blockage or leakage of venous valves
Coronary artery disease
atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries that reduces the blood supply to the heart muscle
coronary thrombosis
damage to the heart muscle caused by a thrombus blocking a coronary artery
Defibrillation
the emergency use of electrical shock to restore the heart's normal rhythm
diastole
the period of relaxation that follows as the chambers refill with blood. This is also referred to as the diastolic phase
diuretic
medication administered to increase urine secretion to rid the body of excess salt and water
electrocardiogram
a record of the electrical activity of the myocardium
electrophysiologist
a doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of heart arrhythmias.
embolism
the sudden blockage of a blood vessel by an embolus
embolus
a foreign object, such as a blood clot, a quantity of air or gas, or a bit of tissue or tumor, that is circulating in the blood
Endocarditis
inflammation of the inner lining of the heart
Erythrocytes
a blood test based on the speed with which the red blood cells separate from the plasma and settle to the bottom of a specialized test tube
heart murmur
an abnormal sound of the heart; sometimes a sign of abnormal function of the heart valves
Hemostasis
to stop or control bleeding
hemoglobin
The oxygen-carrying blood protein pigment of the erythrocytes
hypoperfusion
a deficiency of blood passing through an organ or body part
ischemia
a condition in which there is an insufficient supply of oxygen in the tissues due to restricted blood flow to a part of the body
long QT syndrome
(LQTS) is an inherited or medically acquired heart rhythm disorder that can cause fast, chaotic, and potentially dangerous arrhythmias
Mitral valve prolapse
the backward leaking of blood that occurs when the mitral valve does not close tightly
myocardial infarction
the occlusion of one or more coronary arteries caused by plaque buildup
Orthostatic hypotension
low blood pressure that occurs upon standing up
pericardium
The double-walled membranous sac that encloses the heart
Peripheral Artery Disease
(LQTS) is an inherited or medically acquired heart rhythm disorder that can cause fast, chaotic, and potentially dangerous arrhythmias.
Phlebitis
inflammation of a vein
Raynaud's disease
a peripheral arterial occlusive disease in which intermittent attacks are triggered by cold or stress
sinoatrial node
(SA) node is located in the posterior wall of the right atrium near the entrance of the superior vena cava
Tachycardia
an abnormally rapid resting heartbeat usually at a rate of more than 100 beats per minute
Temporal arteritis
inflammation of the temporal arteries that can cause headache, visual impairment, or other symptoms
thallium stress test
nuclear imaging test performed to evaluate blood flow to the heart during exercise
thrombolytic
medication that dissolves or causes a thrombus to break up
thrombosis
the abnormal condition of having a thrombus
thrombotic occlusion
the blocking of an artery by a thrombus
thrombus
a blood clot attached to the interior wall of an artery or vein
Venous thromboembolism
a blood clot that originates in a vein
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