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Glossary of Key Terms and Definitions
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ablation: process of destroying or removing
acute: a sudden severe occurrence or episode of a condition; opposite of chronic
anesthesia: loss of feeling (sometimes with loss of consciousness), without loss of vital functions, caused by drugs that block pain impulses from the brain or other organs
anesthetic: substance given to provide anesthesia during surgery or minor surgical procedures
aneurysm: a bulge in a blood vessel's wall, which can weaken the vessel to the point where it eventually tears, causing rapid, sometimes fatal blood loss
angina: brief attacks of chest pain caused by a lack of oxygen in the heart muscles
angiogram: the x-ray image taken during angiography
angiography: in cardiac disease, a diagnostic test in which a catheter is inserted through a small incision in a blood vessel in the groin or wrist and guided up into a heart artery; a dye is then be injected through the catheter to trace the blood flow in the artery so blockages can be detected. This is also refferred to as catheterization.
angioplasty: a surgical procedure used to open a partly blocked blood vessel by passing a balloon catheter through a small incision in a blood vessel in the groin or wrist, and then up along the vessel to the site of the blockage, where the tip of the catheter is inflated to push aside the blockage; often done immediately after angiography using the same catheter
anticoagulant: drug given to keep blood from excess clotting; blood thinner
antioxidants: Vitamins A, E, C, and many of the carotenoids and phytochemicals are thought to be antioxidants. Antioxidants are scavengers of particles called oxygen-free radicals.
antioxidants: substances (such as some vitamins) that prevent the oxidation of lipids such as LDL cholesterol and components of the cell. Vitamins A, C, and E are the vitamins currently in use. Their usefulness has not been firmly established; however, taking these vitamins in their recommended amounts is not harmful, and may be helpful.
aorta: the largest artery in the body; leads from the heart itself out to the body carrying oxygen-rich blood
aortic valve: the heart valve that lies between the left ventricle and the aorta
arrhythmia: an abnormal rhythm of the heart (too slow, too fast, or uneven), which can cause the heart to pump less effectively
arteriosclerosis: a chronic disease in which there is abnormal thickening and hardening of the artery walls, causing arteries to lose their ability to stretch and contract
artery: any of the blood vessels that carry blood loaded with oxygen from the heart throughout the body
asymptomatic: showing no symptoms
atherectomy: surgical removal of plaque deposits inside an artery done by threading a catheter with a rotating cutting blade through an artery to the point of the blockage and using the blade to shave away the plaque
atherosclerosis: a form of arteriosclerosis in which there are abnormal fatty deposits in the inner layer of an artery that can interfere with blood flow
atrial fibrillation: very rapid uncoordinated contractions of the atria of the heart
atrium: one of the two upper chamber of the heart that receive blood from the veins and pump it into a ventricle. Plural: atria
autologous donation: Giving one's own blood in advance of surgery to be used for transfusions if needed.
bad cholesterol: LDL
balloon angioplasty: angioplasty
balloon catheter: a catheter with a balloon at the tip, which can be used to open a blocked heart artery. Balloon catheters are used in angioplasty procedures.
blood: the fluid that is pumped by the heart throughout arteries, capillaries, and veins, carrying nourishment and oxygen to all parts of the body and bringing away waste products. Blood is made up primarily of red blood cells, or erythrocytes; white blood cells, or leukocytes; platelets; and plasma
blood pressure: the pressure exerted on artery walls by the blood as it pulses through the body. A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers: systolic pressure (the first, higher number, which indicates pressure when the heart contracts to push blood out to the body) and diastolic pressure (the second, lower number, which indicates pressure as the heart relaxes between beats, allowing blood to flow into the heart). Normal blood pressure is below 140/90 mmHg. Blood pressure will rise during exercise and fall after activity. A diagnosis of high blood pressure is typically made after at least three readings are taken at different times.
blood products: includes any substance that come from blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets
bradycardia: a heart beat that is too slow
bypass machine: heart-lung machine
CAD: coronary artery disease
cardiomyopathy: abnormal conditions of the heart muscle, including hypertrophy of cardiac muscle, enlargement of the heart, and/or rigidity and loss of flexibility of the heart walls, and which are not associated with other heart defects or caused by a birth defect, coronary atherosclerosis, valve problems, or high blood pressure
cardiovascular disease: disease of the heart and blood vessels that nourish the heart
catheter: a long, thin, flexible tube that can be inserted through an incision or needle prick into blood vessels, or through openings in the body.
catheterization: in heart disease, refers to angiography
CHF: congestive heart failure
cholesterol: a waxy substance produced by the liver; also found in foods from animals; necessary for proper body function, but too much can be harmful since it contributes to the development of atherosclerosis. It is very important to "know your numbers" and have your MD monitor them on a yearly basis.
chronic: an ongoing, often long-term condition; opposite of acute
circulation: the movement of blood throughout the body.
clinical: based on or characterized by observable and diagnosable symptoms of disease (clinical depression)
congenital: acquired in the uterus
congestive heart failure: a condition in which the heart is unable to circulate enough oxygenated blood to the body because it's not pumping strongly. This inefficient pumping causes the blood to back up in the veins. The body then retains fluids.
coronary artery: one of the arteries that carry blood to the heart muscle
coronary artery bypass graft: procedure in which a blocked heart artery is "bypassed" by taking a blood vessel from elsewhere in the body and creating a detour around the blockage for blood to flow to the heart muscle.
coronary artery disease: cardiovascular disease
CVD: cardiovascular disease
defibrillator: an electronic device that can stop fibrillation of the heart with a small electric shock.
diastolic pressure: the lower of the two numbers used to measure blood pressure; indicates pressure as the heart relaxes
dilate: open; widen
ECG: electrocardiogram
echocardiogram, echocardiography: an ultrasound image used to examine and measure the structure and functioning of the heart and to diagnose abnormalities and disease
edema: a buildup of fluid in body tissues, causing swelling and other problems
EKG: electrocardiogram (ECG)
electrocardiogram: a recording of the heart's electrical impulses during the heartbeat; used to diagnose problems with the heart rate, rhythm and function
electrodes: the pads used to fasten lead wires to the chest for an electrocardiogram
fellowship: clinical training for physicians beyond residency, to gain experience in specialized areas of medicine.
fetal: relating to an unborn infant
fetus: an unborn infant
fibrillation: rapid, irregular, contractions of the muscle fibers of the heart resulting in a lack of coordination between atria and ventricles; causes an ineffective heartbeat. See atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation.
folic acid: a vitamin of the B complex that has been shown to lower homocysteine levels in the blood — called also folate
genetic: inborn; inherited
glucose: the simplest form of sugar in the body. Glucose is the form of sugar that the brain can use.
good cholesterol: HDL
HDL: high-density lipoprotein; a lipoprotein in the blood that is associated with decreased probability of developing atherosclerosis — also called good cholesterol
heart attack: myocardial infarction
heart block: a condition in which the heart's atria and ventricles beat independently because the heart's pacemaker cells fail to send signals, or fail to conduct impulses to the ventricles; causes a lack of blood-flow to the body and organs
heart failure: congestive heart failure
heart-lung machine: a device that supplies blood with oxygen and pumps it throughout the body while the heart is stopped during open-heart surgery
hemorrhage: loss of blood—usually a large amount; but can also be small reddish spots of blood (splinter hemorrhages)
high blood pressure: a blood pressure over 140/90 mmHg. Blood pressure will rise during exercise and fall after activity. A diagnosis of high blood pressure is typically made after at least three readings are taken at different times.
high-density lipoprotein: HDL
Holter monitor: a portable device that continuously records the heart's electrical activity; can be worn at home during daily activities to detect fleeting episodes of faulty heart rhythms
homocysteine: an amino acid of animal origin that, when present in excess, has been shown to cause blockages in the blood vessels that supply the heart
hydrogenated fat: Vegetable fats that have been chemically and physically altered though a process called hydration in which they are transformed from a liquid oil to a solid fat. Also called trans fats, they perform in the body like saturated fats, which means they elevate LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. Typically found in baked goods, margarine, and processed foods.
hypertension: high blood pressure
hypertensive: having high blood pressure
hypertrophy: excessive growth of an organ or part
ICD: implantable cardioverter defibrillator
implantable cardioverter defibrillator: a small defibrillator that can be permanently implanted under the skin to regulate the heartbeat. (See Pacemaker)
infarct: an area of tissue death in an organ (such as the heart) caused by blockage of the blood vessel that supplies oxygen and nutrients to that part of the organ
injection: medication given by needle into the muscle or under the skin
intravenous: intra = within; venous = vein. So, intravenous medications or fluids are given through a catheter directly into a vein.
ischemia: lack of oxygen in body tissue (usually the heart or brain) caused by blockage or damage to the artery carrying oxygen-rich blood to that part of the body
LDL: low-density lipoprotein; a lipoprotein in the blood that is associated with increased probability of developing atherosclerosis — called also bad cholesterol
lesion: an abnormal change in a structure such as a blood vessel caused by injury or disease, such as a clot or area of plaque
lipids: Fat-like substances found in the blood and body tissues. Cholesterol is one type of lipid. Triglycerides are another.
lipoprotein: a waxy, fat-like substance made up of protein and lipids; found in the blood
low-density lipoprotein: LDL
mechanical ventilator: a device that breathes for the patient by way of a tube passed down the throat. Used on patients who are unable to breathe without assistance.
minimally invasive: a type of surgical procedure done through small incisions with miniaturized tools.
mini-stroke: transient ischemic attack
mitral valve: the heart valve that lies between the left atrium and ventricle
monitor: a device that records vital signs such as heart rate
monounsaturated fat: fat found in foods from plants, including olive oil, peanut, avocado, and canola oil; a highly unsaturated fat that may even help lower cholesterol levels; the most heart-healthy type of fat
myocardial infarction: heart attack. Myocardium = heart muscle; infarct = cell death caused by blocked blood flow; thus, death of an area of heart muscle
myocardium: the middle, muscular layer of the heart wall
normal sinus rhythm: the rhythm of a healthy heartbeat, produced by electrical impulses that start in the sinoatrial node of the heart, as measured by an electrocardiogram
oral: taken by mouth
oxidation: Chemical process involving either the increase of positive charges on an atom or the loss of negative charges. The opposite reaction to oxidation is reduction.
oxygen free radicals: unstable particles that are by-products of many of the body's chemical processes. They damage cell membranes and worsen the damaging properties of LDL cholesterol by preventing its oxidation.
pacemaker: a small device implanted under the skin (usually in the shoulder area) to regulate the heartbeat
palpitations: awareness of a rapid heartbeat
pediatric: relating to the medical care of children
pericarditis: an inflammation of the pericardium. It can be caused by an infection, by severe kidney disease, by a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or by several other disorders. Pericarditis typically produces a sound called a "pericardial friction rub," a characteristic grating "leathery" heart murmur.
pericardium: the sac-like membrane that encloses the heart
pharmaceutical: a medical drug; a company that makes medical drugs
platelets: small cells in the blood that control bleeding; they form clusters to plug small holes in blood vessels and assist in the clotting process
plaque: abnormal deposits of fat and tissue inside the walls of the coronary arteries
plasma: the fluid part of blood, which carries the blood cells, nutrients, and other materials throughout the body
pneumonia: a lung disease involving swelling and fluids in the lungs; symptoms may include chill, fever, difficulty in breathing, cough, and blood-stained sputum.
polyunsaturated fat: unsaturated fat found in foods from plants, including safflower, sunflower, corn. Liquid at room temperature; predominately found in vegetables. Polyunsaturated fats lower HDL cholesterol slightly and thus are more heart-healthy than saturated fat but less so than monounsaturated fat
primary hypertension: abnormally high systolic and diastolic blood pressure occurring without any evident cause and resulting typically in damage to the small arteries in the body, over-development of the heart, and often kidney damage
PTCA: percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
pulmonic valve: the heart valve that lies between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery
red blood cells: the blood cells that carry oxygen (and make our blood red)
reduction: creation of incomplete cell molecules that attack other molecules until the cell dies. See oxidation
regurgitation: in heart disease, a condition in which blood leaks backwards through heart valves that do not close fully.
residency: the first 3-4 years of post-graduate medical training, served in a clinical location such as a hospital to gain experience in a specialty such as cardiology.
resident: physician performing a residency
respiratory: having to do with the process of breathing
rheumatic fever: a disease occurring mostly in children and young adults and characterized by fever, inflammation, pain, and swelling in and around the joints, swelling of the pericardium and valves of the heart; can lead to permanent heart weakness
rotoblator: a catheter with a hard tip which rotates at 2000 rpm to pulverize plaque deposits during atherectomy
saturated fat: fat that comes predominantly from animal-based foods such as meat, milk, and milk products, and is solid at room temperature. Saturated vegetable fats include the tropic oils: cocoa butter, palm and palm kernel and coconut oil. Saturated fats raises LDL cholesterol more than other forms of fat and more than dietary cholesterol.
sinoatrial node: a small mass of tissue that is embedded in the right atrium of the heart, and that originates the electrical impulses that stimulate the heartbeat
sodium: salt
stenosis: an abnormal narrowing of a blood vessel or a heart valve
stent: a stainless steel mesh tube placed inside an artery to hold it open after angioplasty has pushed aside a blockage
stress test: a test of heart function measured before, during, and after a period of increasingly strenuous exercise such as walking on a treadmill
stroke: condition that occurs when oxygen-rich blood is prevented from reaching an area of the brain; can lead to death of brain cells in that area.
suture: stitch
symptom: a condition that indicates a health problem, such as fever, fainting, breathlessness
symptomatic: showing symptoms
syncope: fainting
systolic pressure: the higher of the two numbers used to measure the blood pressure; indicates pressure as the heart contracts
tachycardia: a heart beat that is too fast
terminal: leading to death; close to death
thrombosis: a blood clot that forms within a blood vessel. When the blockage occurs in a heart artery, it is called a coronary thrombosis.
thrombotic: related to thrombosis
trans fats: hydrogenated fat
transducer: a wand-like device that produces high-frequency sound waves that bounce off body organs for ultrasound tests
transesophageal: across the esophagus
transfusion: the transferring of blood into a vein or artery
transient ischemic attack: a brief episode of brain ischemia; abbreviation TIA
transthoracic: across or through the chest wall
tricuspid valve: the heart valve that lies between the right atrium and ventricle
triglyceride: fat molecules packed along with cholesterol in the lipoprotein transport packages. High triglyceride levels are bad for the heart because they displace HDL cholesterol.
ultrasound: a computer image formed when sound waves are passed harmlessly through a structure such as the heart
unsaturated fat: a type of fat that is usually liquid at refrigerator temperature. Monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat are two kinds of unsaturated fat. Heart patients are advised to decrease saturated fats and switch to monounsaturated fats such as olive and canola oil.
valve: parts of the heart and veins that act like doors to keep blood from flowing backwards; see aortic valve, tricuspid valve, pulmonic valve, mitral valve
varix: an abnormally widened and lengthened vein or artery; for example, a varicose vein
vasovagal syncope: loss of consciousness caused by problems with the nerves that control contractions of the heart and blood vessels
vein: any of the blood vessels that carry oxygen-poor blood from the capillaries back toward the heart
ventricle: one of the two lower chambers of the heart which receive blood from a corresponding atrium and from which blood is forced into the arteries
ventricular fibrillation: very rapid, uncoordinated, fluttering contractions of the ventricles of the heart
ventricular septal defect: a hole in the wall that separates the right and left ventricles of the heart; allows blood to pass between ventricles instead of moving forward
ventricular tachycardia: a very rapid, dangerous heartbeat that is stimulated by faulty electrical impulses within the ventricles, leaving them unable to pump blood to the rest of the body.
VLDL: very low-density lipoprotein; transports triglycerides in the bloodstream
white blood cells: the body's primary defense against infection. They can move out of the blood stream and reach tissues being invaded by infection-causing germs.
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