HST Cardiovascular Med Terms L1

angi/o

vessel (blood)

ather/o

plaque; fatty buildup

phleb/o

vein

sphygm/o

pulse

aneurysm

Localized, balloon-like dilation of a blood vessel, usually in an artery.

angina

Condition characterized by severe, constricting pain or pressure in the chest.

Arrhythmia

Irregular heartbeat.

arteriosclerosis

Condition involving hardening and loss of elasticity in arterial walls.

Atherosclerosis

Condition of plaque buildup in the arteries.

atrium

One of the two upper chambers of the heart.

auscultation

Using a stethoscope to listen to the heart

Bicuspid valve

The left atrioventricular valve.

bradycardia

Slow heart rate.

Cardiomyopathy

Condition of diseased heart muscle.

Diastole

Phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle relaxes, allowing the chambers to fill with blood.

Electrocardiogram

A record of the electrical activity of the heart.

endarterectomy

Surgical procedure that removes plaque from the lining of an artery.

mitral valve prolapse

Condition where the mitral valve doesn't close properly, causing bulging or prolapse into the left atrium.

Heart murmur

Abnormal sound heard during auscultation of the heart.

Myocardium

Layer of cardiac muscle that constitutes the middle layer of the heart.

Pericardium

Fibroserous sac that encloses the heart.

septum

Divides the heart into the right heart and left heart.

Shock

Clinical syndrome where peripheral blood flow is insufficient to return blood to the heart for normal function.

Sphygmomanometer

Instrument used to measure blood pressure.

Systole

Phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle contracts, pumping blood out of the chambers.

tachycardia

Fast heart rate.

Ventricle

The two lower chambers of the heart (left and right).

BP

Blood pressure.

PVC

Premature ventricular contractions.

VSD

Ventricular septal defect.

CHF

Congestive heart failure.

EKG (ECG)

Electrocardiogram.

CV

Cardiovascular.