Cardiovascular Medical Terminology: Vessels, Disorders, and Abbreviations

Aort/o

Aorta

Atri/o

Atrium

Arteri/o

Artery

Arteriol/o

Arteriole

Angi/o

Vessel

Vas/o

Vessel

Vascul/o

Vessel

Coron/o

Crown, circle, or heart (frequently refers to coronary arteries)

Ather/o

Yellow Fatty Plaque

Phleb/o

Vein

Ven/o

Vein

Venul/o

Venules

Capillar/o

Capillaries

Ventricul/o

Ventricle

Isch/o

Deficiency, blockage

My/o

Muscle

Symptomat/o

Symptom

Thromb/o

Clot / thrombus

Valv/o

Valve

Ech/o

Sound

Electr/o

Electricity

Claudication

Ischemic muscle pain that occurs during exercise and is quickly relieved by resting.

Dyspnea

Shortness of breath (abbreviated as SOB).

Dyspnea on exertion (DOE)

Shortness of breath brought on specifically by physical activity.

Edema

Tissue swelling caused by fluid accumulation.

Nausea and emesis

Feeling sick to the stomach and vomiting.

Bruit

An abnormal sound detected through a stethoscope during auscultation.

Murmur

Abnormal blowing/swishing sounds heard during auscultation caused by blood turbulence flowing through heart chambers.

Pallor

Paleness or lack of normal skin color.

Ischemia

Deficiency of blood supply to tissues due to an obstruction/blockage.

Cardiac Tamponade

Acute compression of the heart caused by dangerous fluid accumulation within the surrounding pericardial sac.

Arteriopathy

Broad term for any disease process involving the arteries.

Aneurysm

Vessel rupture / weakness.

Phlebitis

Inflammation of a vein.

Thrombophlebitis

Inflammation of a vein accompanied by the formation of blood clots.

Venous thrombosis

The development of a blood clot inside a vein.

Pulse

The rhythmic expansion and contraction of an artery.

Tachycardia

Abnormally elevated heart rate.

Bradycardia

Abnormally slow heart rate.

CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

ICD

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

ECHO

Echocardiography.

MI / AMI

Myocardial infarction / Acute myocardial infarction.

T&A

Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.

VSD

Ventricular septal defect.

ASD

Atrial septal defect.

AV / A-V

Atrioventricular.

CABG

Coronary artery bypass graft.

CAD

Coronary artery disease.

CHD

Coronary heart disease.

CHF

Congestive heart failure.