Cardiovascular Health Concepts

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering cardiovascular health concepts.

Aortic Stenosis

Condition where the aortic valve narrows, causing increased heart workload.

Facies Corvisart

Characteristic facial appearance seen in heart failure.

Apex Beat

The point of maximum impulse felt on the chest wall.

Pulsus Paradoxus

A drop in blood pressure greater than 10 mm Hg during inhalation.

Pulsus Alternans

A regular alternating pattern of weak and strong pulse beats.

Pulsus Filiformis

Weak, threadlike pulse often seen in shock.

Pulsus Celer et Altus

Rapid and high amplitude pulse, typical in aortic regurgitation.

Murmur

An abnormal sound heard during auscultation of the heart.

Presystolic Murmur

A sound that occurs just before the first heart sound, often due to atrial contraction.

Holosystolic Murmur

A continuous murmur throughout the entire systolic phase.

Rhonchi

Abnormal rattling sounds in the lungs indicating obstruction.

S3 Heart Sound

A sound indicating heart failure or volume overload.

S4 Heart Sound

A sound indicating decreased ventricular compliance.

Echocardiography

Ultrasound imaging technique used to assess cardiac function.

Mitral Regurgitation

Backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium during systole.

Aortic Regurgitation

Inadequate closure of the aortic valve causing backward flow of blood.

Peripheral Edema

Swelling due to fluid accumulation in the limbs.

Carotid Pulse

Pulse felt in the carotid artery of the neck.

Jugular Venous Distension

Increased pressure in the jugular vein often seen in heart failure.

Auscultation Points

Specific sites on the chest for listening to heart sounds.

Holodiastolic Murmur

A murmur that occurs throughout diastole.

Mitral Stenosis

Narrowing of the mitral valve opening.

Atrial Fibrillation

An irregular and often rapid heart rate.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries.

Heart Failure

A condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.

Cardiomyopathy

Disease of heart muscle affecting its size, shape, and ability to pump.

Bradycardia

Abnormally slow heart rate.

Tachycardia

Abnormally fast heart rate.

Heart Sounds

Sounds produced by valves opening and closing.

Myocardial Infarction

Death of heart muscle due to lack of blood supply.

Stroke Volume

The amount of blood ejected by the heart in one contraction.

Ejection Fraction

The percentage of blood volume pumped from the ventricle with each heartbeat.

Coronary Angiogram

An X-ray of blood vessels in the heart.

Risk Factors for CAD

Factors like hypertension, smoking, diabetes that increase the chance of coronary artery disease.

Anticoagulants

Medications that prevent blood clotting.

Enalapril

An ACE inhibitor used to treat high blood pressure.

Beta-Blockers

Medications that reduce heart rate and blood pressure.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Medications that relax and widen blood vessels.

Cardiogenic Shock

A state of decreased tissue perfusion due to severe heart failure.

Thrombus

A blood clot that forms within a blood vessel.

PE (Pulmonary Embolism)

Blockage of a pulmonary artery by a blood clot.

Hyperlipidemia

Elevated levels of lipids in the blood.

Antiplatelet Therapy

Medications that prevent blood cells from clumping.

Hemodynamics

The study of blood flow and its dynamics.

Coronary Bypass Surgery

Surgical procedure to restore normal blood flow to heart tissue.

Cardiac Arrest

Sudden stop in effective blood circulation.

Arrhythmia

An irregular heartbeat.

Defibrillation

The use of electrical shock to restore a normal heart rhythm.

Ventricular Tachycardia

A fast heart rate originating from the ventricles.

Atrioventricular Block

A delay or blockage in the electrical signals between the atria and ventricles.

Endocarditis

Inflammation of the inner layer of the heart.

Pericarditis

Inflammation of the pericardium surrounding the heart.

Sick Sinus Syndrome

A group of heart rhythm disorders due to malfunction of the sinus node.

Anemia

A condition marked by a deficiency of red blood cells.

Chronic Kidney Disease

Gradual loss of kidney function.

CVA (Cerebrovascular Accident)

A stroke caused by disruption of blood flow to the brain.

Heart Valve Disorders

Problems related to heart valves that affect blood flow.

Edema

Swelling caused by excess fluid in body tissues.

Orthopnea

Difficulty breathing when lying flat.

Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea

Sudden shortness of breath during sleep.

Pitting Edema

Swelling that retains an indentation when pressed.

Non-Cardiac Chest Pain

Chest pain not related to heart problems.

Blood Gas Analysis

Test measuring the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and blood acidity.

Fluid Overload

An excess of fluid in the body that can affect heart function.

Blood Pressure Measurement

The force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels.

Coronary Heart Disease

Damage or disease in the heart's major blood vessels.

Exercise Stress Test

A test that evaluates the heart's function during physical activity.

Holter Monitor

A portable device for continuous monitoring of heart activity.

Lipid Panel

Blood test measuring cholesterol and triglycerides.

Pulmonary Hypertension

High blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs.

Echocardiography

Ultrasound of the heart.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A lung disease that blocks airflow and makes it difficult to breathe.

Intravenous Therapy

Administration of fluids or medications through a vein.

Dysrhythmia

Irregular heartbeat or abnormal heart rhythm.

Myocarditis

Inflammation of the heart muscle.

Ischemia

Insufficient blood supply to an organ.

Immunosuppression

Reduced effectiveness of the immune system.

Surfactant Therapy

Treatments to improve lung function.

High-Output Heart Failure

A condition where the heart pumps an abnormally high volume of blood.

Low-Output Heart Failure

A condition where the heart fails to pump sufficient blood to meet the body’s needs.

Anemia of Chronic Disease

Anemia that occurs in response to chronic illness.

Peripheral Vascular Disease

Narrowing of blood vessels outside the brain and heart.

Pneumonia

Lung infection that inflames air sacs.

AR (Aortic Regurgitation)

Backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle.

AS (Aortic Stenosis)

Narrowing of the aortic valve opening.

Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP)

Condition in which the mitral valve doesn't close properly.

Coronary Angioplasty

A procedure to restore blood flow to the heart.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

A program designed to improve health and fitness after heart problems.

Electrophysiological Study

A test that evaluates the electrical conduction system of the heart.

Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)

A device implanted to monitor heart rhythm and deliver shocks if needed.

Surgical Options for Aortic Stenosis

Procedures such as valve replacement or repair.

B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)

A hormone produced by the heart that can be measured to assess heart failure.

Interventional Cardiology

A subspecialty of cardiology that deals with catheter-based treatment.

Occlusive Disease

Condition caused by blockage of blood vessels.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Temporary period of symptoms similar to those of a stroke.

Echocardiography Findings

Results obtained from ultrasound imaging of the heart.

Generalized Edema

Swelling that is widespread in the body.

Enzyme Tests

Tests to assess protein levels that can indicate heart disease.

Lifestyle Modifications

Changes in daily habits to improve health.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

A type of heart failure that occurs due to the heart's inability to pump blood effectively.