Cardiovascular System - Module H Definitions

Angina pectoris (angina)

chest pain occurring when the heart muscle is not getting enough oxygen due to narrowed blood vessels, brought about by exercise, stress, excitement, or digesting a big meal

Arteries

blood vessels that carry blood with oxygen and nutrients away from the heart and to the cells

Atherosclerosis

arteries harden due to plaque build up from fatty deposits. Often referred to as “hardening of the arteries”

Cardiovascular System

also called the circulatory system and is the continuous movement of blood though the body

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

when one or both sides of the heart stop pumping effectively

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

a condition in which blood vessels in the coronary arteries narrow, lowering blood supply to the heart and depriving it of oxygen

Hypertension

high blood pressure

Myocardial Infarction (MI, heart attack)

a condition where the heart muscle does not receive enough blood and lacks oxygen, causing damage or death to that area of the heart

Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)

poor circulation of legs, feet, arms, hands due to fatty deposits that harden in blood vessels

Varicose Veins

enlarged, twisted veins usually in the legs

Veins

blood vessels that carry blood with waste products away from the cells and to the heart