Cardiology Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards related to cardiology.

ven/o

Vein

ACE inhibitor

Blocks the action of the enzyme that causes the blood vessels to contract, resulting in hypertension.

Anemia

A disorder characterized by a lower-than-normal number of erythrocytes (red blood cells) in the blood.

Aneurysm

A localized weak spot or balloon-like enlargement of the wall of an artery.

Angina

A condition in which severe episodes of chest pain occur due to an inadequate blood flow to the myocardium.

Angioplasty

The technique of mechanically widening a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel.

Anticoagulant

Slows clotting and prevents new clots from forming.

Aorta

The largest blood vessel in the body.

Aortic stenosis

A buildup of calcium and fat deposits in the aortic valve, a condition most prevalent in adults over age 65.

Atherectomy

The surgical removal of plaque buildup from the interior of an artery.

Atrial fibrillation

The most common type of tachycardia.

Automated external defibrillator

Designed for use by nonprofessionals in emergency situations when defibrillation is required.

Beta-blocker

Reduces the workload of the heart by blocking the release of stress hormones, thus slowing the rate of the heartbeat.

Bradycardia

An abnormally slow resting heart rate.

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 then guided into the heart.

Cardiomyopathy

The term used to describe all diseases of the heart muscle.

Carotid endarterectomy

The surgical removal of the lining of a portion of a clogged carotid artery leading to the brain.

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 to the 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

An antihypertensive medication administered to increase urine output to rid the body of excess sodium 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

An inflammation of the inner lining of the heart.

Erythrocytes

Mature red blood cells.

Heart murmur

An abnormal blowing or clicking sound heard when listening to the heart or a neighboring large blood vessel.

Hemoglobin

Oxygen-carrying blood protein pigment of the erythrocytes.

Hypertension

The elevation of arterial blood pressure to a level that is likely to cause damage to the cardiovascular system.

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

An inherited or medically acquired heart rhythm disorder that can cause fast, chaotic, and potentially dangerous arrhythmias.

Mitral valve prolapse

The abnormal protrusion of a mitral valve that results in the inability of the valve to close completely.

Myocardial infarction

The occlusion (blockage) of one or more coronary arteries cause by plaque buildup.

Orthostatic hypotension

Low blood pressure that occurs upon standing up and remains lower than normal as long as the patient remains standing.

Pericardium

The double- walled membranous sac that encloses the heart.

Peripheral artery disease

An example of a peripheral vascular disease that is caused by atherosclerosis.

Phlebitis

The inflammation of a vein.

Raynaud’s disease

A peripheral arterial occlusive disease in which intermittent attacks are triggered by cold temperatures or stress.

Sinoatrial node

Located in the posterior wall of the right atrium near the entrance of the superior vena cava.

Systole

The period of contraction that the ventricles undergo while pumping blood into the aorta and the pulmonary artery. This is also referred to as the systolic phase.

Tachycardia

An abnormally rapid resting heart rate.

Telemetry nurse

Specializes in the use of technology within a hospital unit to track vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rhythms, and oxygen levels.

Temporal arteritis

Caused by inflammation of the temporal arteries supplying blood to the head and brain.

Thallium stress test

A nuclear imaging test performed by injecting a small amount of thallium into the bloodstream to evaluate how well blood flows through the coronary arteries of the heart muscle during exercise.

Thrombolytic

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.

Varicose veins

Abnormally swollen veins that usually occur in the superficial veins of the legs.

Venous thromboembolism

A blood clot that originates in a vein.

Ventricular fibrillation

Consists of rapid, irregular, and useless contractions of the ventricles.

Ventricular tachycardia

A very rapid heartbeat that begins within the ventricles.

cardi/o

Heart.

peri-

Surrounding.

ather/o

Plaque, fatty substance.

brady-

Slow.

tachy-

Fast, rapid.

thromb/o

Clot.

angi/o

Blood or lymph vessels.

aort/o

Aorta.

arteri/o

Artery.

capill/o

Capillary.

end/o

Within.

phleb/o

Vein.