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Module 7 Vocabulary
Cardiovascular Vocabulary List
Acute arterial occlusion – A sudden blockage of an artery, often caused by a thrombus or embolus, leading to reduced blood flow and possible tissue damage.
Arteries and arterioles – Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body. Arterioles are smaller branches of arteries that regulate blood flow into capillaries.
Ascites – The accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, often due to liver disease, heart failure, or cancer.
Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) – A hormone secreted by the atria of the heart in response to stretching, which helps regulate blood pressure by promoting sodium and water excretion.
Atrioventricular (AV) valves – The heart valves (tricuspid and mitral) that separate the atria from the ventricles, preventing backflow of blood.
B-type (brain) natriuretic peptide (BNP) – A hormone released by the ventricles in response to stretching, used as a diagnostic marker for heart failure.
Capillaries – The smallest blood vessels where gas, nutrient, and waste exchange occur between blood and tissues.
Cardiac tamponade – A life-threatening condition in which fluid accumulates in the pericardial sac, compressing the heart and impairing its ability to pump blood.
Cardiogenic shock – A severe form of heart failure where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, leading to organ failure.
Cardiomyopathy – A disease of the heart muscle that affects its ability to pump blood effectively. Types include dilated, hypertrophic, and restrictive cardiomyopathy.
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) – A condition where the veins fail to return blood efficiently to the heart, leading to swelling, varicose veins, and skin changes.
Collateral circulation – The development of new blood vessels to bypass blocked or narrowed arteries, providing an alternate route for blood flow.
Congestive heart failure (CHF) (right vs left) – A condition where the heart fails to pump effectively.
Left-sided CHF causes pulmonary congestion (fluid in the lungs).
Right-sided CHF leads to systemic congestion (swelling in the legs, ascites).
Crackles – Abnormal lung sounds (rales) heard on auscultation, often associated with fluid in the lungs due to CHF or pneumonia.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)/thrombophlebitis – A blood clot formation in a deep vein, usually in the legs, which can lead to serious complications like pulmonary embolism.
Dependent edema – Swelling in areas of the body that are positioned lower than the heart, commonly seen in the legs and feet due to fluid retention.
Diastolic heart failure/preserved-ejection fraction heart failure (HFpEF) – A condition where the heart’s ventricles become stiff and cannot relax properly, leading to inadequate filling.
Endocardium – The inner lining of the heart chambers, which helps prevent clot formation and infections.
Endothelium – The thin layer of cells lining blood vessels, crucial for vascular health and function.
Eschar – A thick, dry, black or brown crust that forms over a wound, often seen in severe burns or chronic ulcers.
Heart murmur – An abnormal sound heard during a heartbeat, often caused by turbulent blood flow due to valve disorders or congenital heart defects.
Hepatomegaly – An enlarged liver, often due to heart failure, liver disease, or infections.
Immobility – The inability to move freely, which increases the risk of blood clots, pressure ulcers, and cardiovascular complications.
Infective endocarditis – A bacterial or fungal infection of the heart valves or endocardium, which can lead to severe complications like embolism.
Intermittent claudication – Pain in the legs during activity due to poor circulation, commonly associated with peripheral artery disease (PAD).
Myocardium – The muscular layer of the heart responsible for contraction and pumping blood.
Orthopnea – Difficulty breathing while lying flat, commonly seen in patients with heart failure.
Paresthesias – Abnormal sensations such as tingling, numbness, or burning, often caused by nerve damage or poor circulation.
Pericardial effusion – The accumulation of fluid in the pericardial sac, which can lead to cardiac tamponade if excessive.
Pericardium – The protective double-layered membrane surrounding the heart, reducing friction during heartbeats.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD)/atherosclerotic occlusive disease/arteriosclerosis obliterans – A condition where atherosclerosis narrows arteries in the legs, reducing blood flow and causing pain.
Peripheral edema – Swelling in the extremities, often caused by heart failure, venous insufficiency, or kidney disease.
Prophylaxis – Preventive treatment to reduce the risk of disease, such as taking anticoagulants to prevent DVT.
Pulmonary edema – Fluid accumulation in the lungs, making breathing difficult and commonly caused by left-sided heart failure.
Semilunar valves – The aortic and pulmonary valves, which prevent backflow of blood into the heart.
Systolic heart failure/reduced-ejection fraction heart failure (HFrEF) – A condition where the heart’s ability to contract is impaired, reducing the amount of blood pumped.
Valvular incompetence/regurgitation – A condition where heart valves do not close properly, allowing blood to flow backward.
Valvular stenosis – Narrowing of heart valves, restricting blood flow and increasing the heart’s workload.
Vegetative lesions – Growths of infectious material on heart valves, commonly associated with infective endocarditis.
Veins and venules – Blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Venules are the smaller branches of veins.
Venous stasis – Sluggish blood flow in veins, increasing the risk of clot formation and ulcers.
Venous stasis ulcers – Chronic, non-healing wounds caused by poor circulation in the veins, often seen in the lower legs.
Virchow’s triad – The three factors that contribute to thrombosis:
Venous stasis (slow blood flow)
Endothelial injury (damage to vessel walls)
Hypercoagulability (increased clotting tendency)
