prof 10

chapter 9

Ablation

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

Angiogram

An x-ray or computer image (CT scan or MRI) of the blood vessels and blood flow in the body.

Atherosclerosis

A hardening of the arteries that involves the accumulation of plaque.

Auscultation

Listening to the heart using a stethoscope.

Bradycardia

A condition in which the heart beats slower than 50 beats per minute.

Cardiomegaly

Enlarged heart.

Cardiomyopathy

Disease of the heart muscle.

Congenital

Present at birth.

Diaphoresis

Sweating.

Dyspnea

Difficulty breathing.

Echocardiogram

A computer picture of the heart created by bouncing high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) off internal tissues or organs of the chest.

Echocardiography

A procedure that uses high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) to look at tissues and organs inside the chest.

Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)

The record of the heart’s function produced by the electrocardiograph.

Electrocardiograph

The instrument that generates an electrocardiogram (ECG); 10 electrodes are placed in standard locations on the patient’s skin to record heart function.

Electrocardiography

The science of recording the electrical activity of the heart.

Endocarditis

A condition in which the tissues lining the inside of the heart and the heart valves become inflamed.

Hypercholesterolemia

Higher than normal levels of cholesterol in the blood.

Hyperlipidemia

Excessive fat in the blood.

Hypertension

Abnormally high blood pressure.

Ischemia

Lack of blood flow to body tissues.

Myocarditis

A rare condition in which the heart muscle becomes thick and inflamed and may also become weak.

Occlusion

A blockage.

Pericarditis

Inflammation of the (sac) surrounding the heart.

Pericardiocentesis

Surgical puncture to aspirate fluid from the (sac) surrounding the heart.

Sphygmomanometer

A blood pressure cuff attached to a measuring device.

Stethoscope

An instrument used to hear sounds produced by the heart, lungs, or other parts of the body.

Syncope

Fainting.

Tachycardia

A condition in which the resting rate is above 100 bpm.

Valvuloplasty

The widening of a stenosed heart valve using a balloon catheter.