ch 9. Cardiovascular System

atri/o

atrium

cardi/o

heart

ech/o

sound

electr/o

electricity

symptomat/o

symptom

valv/o

valve

valvul/o

valve

ventricul/o

ventricle

Ablation

The removal or destruction of a body part, tissue, or its function.

Aneurysm

Weakening and ballooning of a blood vessel wall, risking internal bleeding.

Angina pectoris

Chest pain, often a symptom of coronary artery disease.

Angiogram

An X-ray or imaging scan of blood vessels and blood flow.

Antihypertensives

Medications used to treat high blood pressure.

Arrhythmia

A deviation from the normal pattern of heart electrical impulse conduction.

Asymptomatic

Having no signs or symptoms of disease.

Atherosclerosis

Hardening of the arteries caused by plaque buildup.

Auscultation

Listening to the heart using a stethoscope.

Atrioventricular (AV)

The region of the heart where the atria and ventricles meet.

Atrioventricular (AV) valves

Mitral and tricuspid valves allowing blood flow from atria to ventricles.

Bradycardia

Heart rate slower than 50 beats per minute.

Cardiac

Relating to the heart.

Cardiac troponin

The regulatory protein involved in muscle contraction.

Cardiogenic

Originating from the heart.

Cardiologist

A physician who specializes in heart diseases.

Cardiology

The study of the heart and its functions.

Cardiomegaly

Enlargement of the heart.

Cardiomyopathy

Disease of the heart muscle.

Compliance

The ability of blood vessels to dilate and constrict.

Computerized tomography (CT)

Imaging technique analyzing cross-sectional X-rays to show detailed body structures.

Congenital

Present at birth.

Creatine kinase MB

An enzyme catalyzing the conversion of creatine to phosphocreatine.

Cyanosis

Bluish skin discoloration caused by restricted oxygen supply.

Diabetes mellitus

Disease impairing blood glucose regulation and insulin function.

Diaphoresis

Profuse sweating.

Diastole

Period when heart muscle relaxes and chambers fill with blood.

Ductus arteriosus

Temporary connection between pulmonary trunk and aorta in fetal heart.

Dyspnea

Difficulty breathing.

Echocardiogram

Ultrasound picture of the heart tissues and structures.

Echocardiography

Procedure using ultrasound sound waves to evaluate chest organs.

Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)

Recorded record of heart function produced by an electrocardiograph.

Electrocardiograph

Instrument recording electrical activity of the heart via electrodes.

Electrocardiography

The science of recording electrical activity of the heart.

Endocarditis

Inflammation of the inner heart lining and heart valves.

Foramen ovale

Normal opening between right and left atria in the fetal heart.

Great vessels

Superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, aorta, and pulmonary trunk.

Heart murmur

An abnormal heart sound.

Heart rate

Number of heartbeats per minute.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)

Lipoprotein commonly known as good cholesterol.

Hypercholesterolemia

Higher than normal levels of blood cholesterol.

Hyperlipidemia

Excessive amount of fats or lipids in the blood.

Hypertension

Abnormally high blood pressure.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)

Implanted device delivering electrical shocks to correct abnormal heart rhythms.

Inferior vena cava

Large vein carrying deoxygenated blood from lower body to heart.

Interatrial septum

Wall separating the right and left atria.

Interventricular septum

Myocardial wall separating the right and left ventricles.

Ischemia

Insufficient blood flow to body tissues.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

Lipoprotein commonly known as bad cholesterol.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Imaging technique using strong magnetic fields and radio waves.

Mitral valve

Bicuspid valve located between left atrium and left ventricle.

Myocardial infarction (MI)

Heart attack caused by lack of blood flow to myocardium.

Myocarditis

Inflammation and thickening of the heart muscle.

Occlusion

A blockage in a vessel or passage.

Pacemaker

Implanted electronic device providing electrical stimulation to regulate heartbeat.

Palpitations

Sensory awareness of a rapid or irregular heartbeat.

Pericardial fluid

Fluid surrounding the heart in the pericardial cavity.

Pericarditis

Inflammation of the pericardium surrounding the heart.

Pericardiocentesis

Surgical puncture to aspirate fluid from the pericardial sac.

Plaque

Fatty deposit accumulating on arterial walls.

Polycythemia

Disorder marked by abnormally high production of blood cells.

Pulmonary trunk

Large artery branching from right ventricle to pulmonary arteries.

Roots of the great vessels

Base portion connecting great blood vessels to the heart.

Serous membrane

Thin membrane lining body cavities and covering thoracic organs.

Sinus rhythm

Normal electrical conduction pattern of the heart.

Sphygmomanometer

Instrument used to measure blood pressure.

Stethoscope

Instrument used for auscultation of internal body sounds.

Superior vena cava

Large vein carrying deoxygenated blood from upper body to heart.

Syncope

Temporary loss of consciousness or fainting.

Systole

Period when heart muscle contracts to pump blood.

Tachycardia

Resting heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute.

Valvuloplasty

Surgical widening of a narrowed heart valve using a balloon.