MED TERMS CHAPTER 5

The Cardiovascular System

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

Arrhythmia

a loss of the normal rhythm of the heartbeat

Atherectomy

surgical removal of plaque buildup from the interior lining of an artery

Cardiac Catheterization

a diagnostic 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

Coronary Thrombosis

damage to the heart muscle caused by a thrombus blocking a coronary artery

Electrocardiogram

a record of the electrical activity of the myocardium

Embolism

the sudden blockage of a blood vessel by an embolus

Endocarditis

inflammation of the inner lining of the heart

Erythrocytes

red blood cells

Atheroma

deposit of plaque on or within the arterial wall

Atherosclerosis

stiffness of the joints, especially in the elderly

Atrial Fibrillation

rapid irregular twitching of the muscular wall of the atria

Blood Dyscrasia

Any pathological condition of the cellular elements of the blood

Bradycardia

an abnormally slow rate of respiration, usually of less than 10 breaths per minute

Hemostasis

to stop or control bleeding

Leukemia

a type of cancer characterized by a progressive increase in the number of abnormal white blood cells found in blood-forming tissues, other organs, and in the circulating blood

Leukocytes

white blood cells

Leukopenia

a decrease in the number of white blood cells circulating in the blood

Myelodysplastic Syndrome

a type of cancer in which there is insufficient production of one or more types of blood cells

Myocardial Infarction

the occlusion of one or more coronary arteries caused by plaque buildup

Orthostatic Hypotension

low blood pressure that occurs upon standing up

Phlebitis

inflammation of the vein

Raynaud's Disease

a peripheral arterial occlusive disease in which intermittent attacks are triggered by cold or stress

Sepsis

an infection that results from bacteria or other infectious organisms entering the bloodstream

Tachycardia

an abnormally rapid resting heartbeat usually at a rate of more than 100 beats per minute

Temporal Arteritis

a form of vasculitis with abnormally large cells, that can cause headache, visual impairment, or other symptoms

Thrombocytopenia

a condition in which there is an abnormally small number of platelets in the circulating blood

Thrombolytic

medication that dissolves or causes a thrombus to break up

Thrombosis

the abnormal condition of having a thrombus

Valvulitis

an inflammation of the heart valve

Ventricular Fibrillation

rapid, irregular, and useless contractions of the ventricles

A-fib

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

AED

AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR

ICD

IMPLANTABLE CARDIOVERTER-DEFIBRILLATOR

CC

CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION

CVI

CHRONIC VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY

CABG

CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT

CAD

CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

ECG / EKG

ELECTROCARDIOGRAM

MI

MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

PAD

PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE

PVD

PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE

tPA

TISSUE PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR

V-fib

VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION