Cardiovascular Health and Medications

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to cardiovascular health, medications, and associated medical conditions from the lecture notes.

Arteriosclerosis

The stiffening and hardening of blood vessels, which can lead to reduced blood flow and increased blood pressure.

Angina

Chest pain caused by reduced blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart, often perceived as a warning sign before an MI.

Myocardial Infarction (MI)

Death to myocardial tissue due to prolonged low perfusion, often resulting from blocked arteries.

Hyperlipidemia

An abnormally high concentration of fats or lipids in the blood, which can lead to plaque buildup in arteries.

HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein)

Often referred to as 'good' cholesterol; helps transport cholesterol to the liver for disposal.

LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein)

Considered 'bad' cholesterol; can deposit cholesterol in the walls of arteries, leading to plaque buildup.

Statins

Medications that reduce cholesterol levels by inhibiting the liver's ability to produce cholesterol.

Rhabdomyolysis

A serious syndrome caused by muscle injury leading to muscle breakdown and potential kidney damage.

Anticoagulants

Medications that prevent the formation of clots; examples include heparin and warfarin.

Troponin

A cardiac biomarker used to detect damage to the heart muscle; elevated levels indicate an MI.

CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting)

A surgical procedure that reroutes blood flow around a blocked artery using a vessel from another part of the body.

tPA (Tissue Plasminogen Activator)

A thrombolytic agent used to dissolve blood clots in acute conditions like stroke and MI.

Aspirin

An antiplatelet medication that reduces platelet aggregation and is often used to prevent heart attacks.

Bridge Therapy

The process of transitioning a patient from an IV or subcutaneous anticoagulant to an oral anticoagulant without interruption.

Platelet Plug

A temporary aggregation of platelets that forms at the site of a blood vessel injury to stop bleeding.

Fibrin

A protein that forms a mesh that constitutes the final structure of a stable blood clot.

Variant Angina

A type of angina caused by coronary artery spasms, often occurring at rest and can resolve spontaneously.

Beta Blockers

Medications that reduce heart rate and blood pressure, thereby decreasing the demand for oxygen by the heart.