Pathology of the Cardiovascular System

angitis

inflammation of a vessel

angiospasm

An involuntary muscle contraction of the smooth muscle in the wall of a vessel; narrows the vessel

angiostenosis

the narrowing of a vessel

bradycardia

The condition of having a slow heart rate; typically less than 60 beats/minute; highly trained aerobic persons may normally have a slow heart rate

embolus

The obstruction of a blood vessel by a blood clot that has been broken off from a thrombus somewhere else in the body and traveled to the point of obstruction. If it occurs in a coronary artery, it may result in a myocardial infarction.

infarct

an area of tissue within an organ or part that undergoes necrosis (death) following the loss of its blood supply

ischemia

The localized and temporary deficiency of blood supply due to an obstruction to the circulation

murmur

A sound, in addition to the normal heart sounds, arising from blood flowing through the heart. This extra sound may or may not indicate a heart abnormality

orthostatic hypotension

The sudden drop in blood pressure a person experiences when standing straight up suddenly

palpitations

pounding, racing heartbeats

plaque

A yellow, fatty deposit of lipids in an artery that is the hallmark of atherosclerosis. Also called atheroma

regurgitation

The flow backwards. In the cardiovascular system, this refers to the backflow of blood through a valve

tachycardia

The condition of having a fast heart rate; typically more that 100 beats per minute while at rest

thrombus

A blood clot forming within a blood vessel. May partially or completely occlude the blood vessel

angina pectoris

Condition in which there is severe pain with a sensation of constriction around the heart. Caused by a deficiency of oxygen to the heart muscle

arrhythmia

Irregularity in the heartbeart or action. Comes in many different forms; some are not serious, while others are life threatening

bundle branch block

Occurs when the electrical impulse is blocked from traveling down the bundle of His or bundle branches. Results in the ventricles beating at a different rate than the atria. Also called a heart block

cardiac arrest

Complete stopping of heart activity

cardiomegaly

an enlarged heart

cardiomyopathy

General term for a disease of the myocardium. Can be caused by alcohol abuse, parasites, viral infection and congestive heart failure. One of the most common reasons a patient may require a heart transplant

congenital septal defect

A hole, present at birth, in the septum between two heart chambers; results in a mixture of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. There can be an ASD or a VSD.

congestive heart failure

pathological condition of the heart in which there is a reduced outflow of blood from the left side of the heart because the left ventricle myocardium has become too weak to efficiently pump blood. Results in weakness, breathlessness, and edema

coronary artery disease

Insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle due to an obstruction of one or more coronary arteries. May be caused by atherosclerosis and may cause angina pectoris and myocardial infarction

endocarditis

Inflammation of the lining membranes of the heart. May be due to bacteria or to an abnormal immunological response. In bacterial endocarditis, the mass of bacteria that forms is referred to as vegetation

fibrillation

An extremely serious arrhythmia characterized by an abnormal quivering or contraction of heart fibers. When this occurs in the ventricles, cardiac arrest and death can occur. Emergency equipment to defibrillate, or convert the heart to a normal beat is necessary.

flutter

An arrhythmia in which the atria beat too rapidly, but in a regular pattern.

heart valve prolapse

condition in which the cusps or flaps of the heart valve are too loose and fail to shut tightly, allowing blood to flow backward through the valve when the heart chamber contracts. Most commonly occurs in the mitral valve, but may affect any of the heart valves.

Myocardial infarction

Condition caused by the partial or complete occlusion or closing of one or more of the coronary arteries. Symptoms include a squeezing pain or heavy pressure in the middle of the chest (angina pectoris). A delay in treatment could result in death. Also referred to as a heart attack

myocarditis

inflammation of the muscle layer of the heart wall

pericarditis

inflammation of the pericardial sac around the heart

tetralogy of Fallot

combination of 4 congenital anomalies, pulmonary stenosis, an interventricular septal defect, improper placement of the aorta, and hypertrophy of the right ventricle. Needs immediate surgery to correct

valvulitis

inflammation of a heart valve

anuerysm

Weakness in the wall of an artery resulting in localized widening of the artery. Although an aneurysm may develop in an artery, common sites include the aorta in the abdomen and the cerebral arteries in the brain

arteriorrhexis

A ruptured artery; may occur if an aneurysm ruptures an arterial wall.

arteriosclerosis

Thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the walls of the arteries. Most often due to atherosclerosis

atheroma

A deposit of fatty substance in the wall of an artery that bulges into and narrows the lumen of the artery; a characteristic of atherosclerosis. Also called plaque

atherosclerosis

The most common form of arteriosclerosis. Caused by the formation of yellowish plaques of cholesterol on the inner walls of arteries

coarctation of the aorta

Severe congenital narrowing of the aorta

hemorrhoid

varicose veins in the anal region

patent ductus arteriosus

Congenital heart anomaly in which the fetal connection between the pulmonary artery and the aorta fails to close at birth. This condition may be treated with medication and resolve with time

peripheral vascular disease

Any abnormal condition affecting blood vessels outside the heart. Symptoms may include pain, pallor, numbness and loss of circulation and pulses

Raynaud’s phenomenon

Periodic ischemic attacks affecting the extremities of the body, especially the fingers, toes, ears and nose. The affected extremities become cyanotic and very painful. These attacks are brought on by arterial constriction due to extreme cold or emotional stress.

thrombophlebitis

Inflammation of a vein resulting in the formation of blood clots within the vein.

varicose veins

swollen and distended veins, usually in the legs