Cardiovascular System: Heart Diseases, Conditions, and Valve Disorders

acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

A term that describes a range of conditions related to sudden, reduced blood flow to the heart.

angina

Chest pain or discomfort that occurs when part of your heart muscle does not get enough oxygen-rich blood.

cardiomegaly

An enlarged heart that can happen when a person has heart disease as the heart has to work harder to pump blood.

cardiomyopathy

Disease of the heart muscle (myocardium).

congestive heart failure (CHF)

A long-term condition in which your heart can't pump blood well enough to meet your body's needs.

ischemia

An inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body, especially the heart muscles.

myocardial infarction (MI)

Another word for heart attack, caused by a decrease or cessation of blood flow to the myocardium.

peripheral edema

Leg swelling caused by the retention of fluid in leg tissues, often due to problems with venous circulation.

endocarditis

Inflammation of the inner layer of the heart, usually caused by bacteria or fungi.

mitral valve prolapse (MVP)

A condition where the mitral valve does not close properly, potentially causing blood to leak.

murmur (heart)

A whooshing or swishing sound heard through a stethoscope when blood flows abnormally over your heart valves.

tetralogy of Fallot

A heart defect made up of four different heart problems.

pericarditis

Inflammation of the lining around the heart.