Ch.5 Cardiovascular System Med Terms

ACE inhibitor

Blocks the action of the enzyme causing blood vessel constriction, leading to hypertension.

Anemia

Condition with lower-than-normal red blood cell count in the blood.

Aneurysm

Localized weak spot or balloon-like enlargement of an artery wall.

Angina

Severe chest pain due to inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle.

Angioplasty

Technique to widen narrowed or obstructed blood vessels.

Anticoagulant

Slows blood clotting to prevent new clots from forming.

Aplastic anemia

Absence of all formed blood elements due to bone marrow failure.

Arrhythmia

Loss of normal heartbeat rhythm.

Atherectomy

Surgical removal of plaque from an artery.

Atherosclerosis

Arteries harden and narrow due to cholesterol plaque buildup.

Atrial fibrillation

Rapid, uncontrolled twitching of the heart's atria.

Automated external defibrillator

Device for emergency defibrillation by nonprofessionals.

Beta-blocker

Slows heart rate to reduce heart workload.

Bradycardia

Abnormally slow resting heart rate.

Cardiac arrest

Heart stops beating effectively or develops arrhythmia.

Cardiac catheterization

Procedure using a catheter to diagnose and treat heart conditions.

Cardiomyopathy

Term for heart muscle diseases.

Carotid endarterectomy

Surgical removal of clogged carotid artery lining.

Cholesterol

Fatty substance found in the blood and body.

Chronic venous insufficiency

Condition with inadequate venous circulation.

Coronary artery disease

Atherosclerosis in coronary arteries reducing blood supply to the heart.

Coronary thrombosis

Heart muscle damage due to a blocked coronary artery.

Defibrillation

Emergency use of electrical shock to restore heart rhythm.

Diuretic

Stimulates kidneys to increase urine secretion.

Electrocardiogram

Record of heart's electrical activity.

Embolism

Sudden blood vessel blockage by a circulating foreign object.

Embolus

Foreign object circulating in the blood causing vessel blockage.

Endocarditis

Inflammation of the heart's inner lining.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells produced by bone marrow.

Hemoglobin

Oxygen-carrying blood protein in red blood cells.

Hemolytic anemia

Inadequate red blood cells due to premature destruction.

Hemorrhage

Rapid loss of a large amount of blood.

Hemostasis

Control or stoppage of bleeding.

Leukemia

Cancer with abnormal leukocytes increase.

Leukocytes

White blood cells defending against infections.

Leukopenia

Decrease in disease-fighting white blood cells.

Megaloblastic anemia

Anemia with larger-than-normal red blood cells.

Mitral valve prolapse

Abnormal heart valve protrusion.

Myelodysplastic syndrome

Cancer with insufficient blood cell production.

Myocardial infarction

Heart attack due to coronary artery blockage.

Orthostatic hypotension

Low blood pressure upon standing.

Pericardium

Membranous sac enclosing the heart.

Pernicious anemia

Anemia due to lack of intrinsic factor.

Phlebitis

Vein inflammation.

Raynaud’s disease

Peripheral arterial disease triggered by cold or stress.

Sepsis

Life-threatening infection from bacteria in the bloodstream.

Sickle cell anemia

Genetic disorder causing abnormal hemoglobin.

Tachycardia

Abnormally rapid resting heart rate.

Temporal arteritis

Inflammation of temporal arteries.

Thallium stress test

Evaluates blood flow in coronary arteries during exercise.

Thrombocytopenia

Abnormally low platelet count.

Thrombolytic

Dissolves or breaks up blood clots.

Thrombosis

Abnormal condition with a blood clot.

Thrombotic occlusion

Artery blockage by a blood clot.

Thrombus

Blood clot attached to an artery or vein wall.

Transfusion reaction

Severe immune response to mismatched blood.

Varicose veins

Swollen veins in the legs.

Venous thromboembolism

Blood clot originating in a vein.

Ventricular fibrillation

Rapid, irregular ventricle contractions.

Ventricular tachycardia

Very rapid heartbeat starting in the ventricles.