Chapter 5 Med Term

Epicardium

Thin, protective outer layer that surrounds the heart

Myocardium

Heart muscle, which is the thickest, middle layer

Endocardium

The membrane that lines the heart’s inner chambers

Pulmonary circulation

Flow of blood between the heart and lungs

Systemic circulation

Flow of blood to all parts of the body except the lungs

Sinus rhythm

Normal heartbeat

Arteries

Carry blood away from the heart

Arterioles

Carry blood to the capillaries

Capillaries

Allows transfer of oxygen/nutrients from blood to the cells of the body

Venules

Smallest veins that join to form larger viens

Veins

Cary blood toward the heart

Systolic blood pressure

Ventricles contract

Diastolic blood pressure

Ventricles relax

Perfusion

the flow of blood through the vessels of an organ

Septum

Separates the hear into right and left

Erythrocytes/Red blood cells

Primary function is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the bodily tissues

Leukocytes/White blood cells

Defend body against infective organisms and foreign substances

Thrombocytes/Platelets

Clump together to form a blood clot to stop the bleeding

Hematologist

Diagnose and treats abnormalities of blood

Vascular surgeon

Diagnoses and treats disorders of blood vessels

Cardiologist

Diagnoses and treats abnormalities of the heart

Telemetry nurse

Specializes in using technology to track vital signs including heart rhythms

Atherosclerosis

Caused by buildup of plaque on interior walls of arteries. Results in hardening and narrowing of artery lumen

Ischemia

Insufficient supply of oxygen in the tissues due to restricted blood flow to a part of the body

Angina

Chest pain. Caused by inadequate blood flow to myocardium

Myocardial Infarction

Heart attack. The occlusion or blockage of one or more coronary arteries caused by a build up of plaque

Endocarditis

Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart

Myocarditis

Inflammation of the myocardium

Pericarditis

Inflammation of the pericardium

Heart murmur

Abnormal sound heart when listening to the heart or nearby, large blood vessel. Often caused by defective heart valves

Arrhythmia

Loss of normal rhythm of heartbeat

Asystole

Complete absence of electrical activity in the heart

Bradycardia

Heart rate below 60 beats/minute

Tachycardia

Heart rate above 100 beats/minute

Fibrillation

Fast and irregular heartbeats that can be life-threatening

Hypoperfusion

A deficiency of blood passing through an organ or body part

Aneurysm

Localized weak area or enlargement of wall of an artery

Arteriosclerosis

Any group of diseases characterized by thickening and loss of elasticity of arterial walls

Varicose veins

Abnormally swollen veins due to improper functioning of valves

Thrombus

Blood clot attached to the interior wall of vessel

Thrombosis

Abnormal condition of having a thrombus

Embolus

Foreign object circulating in blood such as a blood clot, air/gas, or piece of tissue

Embolism

Sudden blockage of blood vessel by an embolus

Hyperlipidemia

Elevated levels of cholesterol and other fatty substances in the blood

Anemia

Decreased number of erythrocytes

Hypertension

Elevation of arterial blood pressure (140/90)

Hypotension

Lower than normal arterial blood pressure (90/60)

Leukopenia

Lower than normal number of white blood cells, weakening the immune system and increasing infection risk

Polycythemia

Blood disorder where the body makes too many red blood cells, thickening the blood and slowing flow. Can cause blood clots, heart attack, or stroke

Thrombocytopenia

Deficiency of platelets in the blood. Causes bleeding into the tissues, bruising, and slow blood clotting after injury

Electrocardiogram

Record of electrical activity of myocardium

Holter monitor

Portable EKG worn by ambulatory patient

Angiography/Cardiac catheterization

Heart cath. Radiographic study of blood vessels

Balloon angioplasty

A small balloon, on the end of a catheter, is use to open a partially blocked coronary artery

Stent

Placement of a wire mesh tube to support the arterial wall

Coronary artery bypass graft

Portion of vein from the leg or chest is implanted on the heart to replace a blocked coronary artery and to improve blood flow to the heart

Automated external defibrillator

Assesses heart rhythm and externally shocks the heart to reset electrical activity and retore regular rhythm, if needed

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator

Implanted device that regulates heartbeats. Defibrillates, or provides an electrical shock, to restore normal rhythm if disruption of heart’s rhythm occurs