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Circulatory System
Cardiovascular System
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Anemia | a condition in which the amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the body is less than normal |
Angina Pectoris | chest pain, pressure, or discomfort |
Anti-Embolic Stockings | special stockings used to help prevent swelling and blood clots and aid circulation; also called elastic stockings |
Artery | vessel that carries blood away from the heart |
Atria | the upper two chambers of the heart |
Capillaries | tiny blood vessels in which the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products occurs between blood and cells |
Cardiomyopathy | a weakening of the heart muscle due to enlargement or thickening, which reduces the heart's ability to pump blood effectively |
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) | a condition in which the heart muscle is damaged and fails to pump effectively |
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) | a condition in which the coronary arteries become damaged and narrow over time, causing chest pain and other syptoms |
Diastole | phase when the heart muscle relaxes |
Heart | four-chambered pump that is responsible for the flow of blood in the body |
Hypoxia | a condition in which the body does not receive enough oxygen |
Nitroglycerin | medication that relaxes the walls of the coronary arteries |
Occlusion | a complete obstruction of a blood vessel |
Orthopnea | shortness of breath when lying down that is relieved by sitting up |
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) | a condition in which the legs, feet, arms, or hands do not have enough circulation |
Phlebitis | inflammation of the veins in the lower extremities |
Pulmonary Edema | a condition in which there is an accumulation of fluid in the lungs usually due to heart failure |
Stable Angina | chest pain that occurs when a person is active or under severe stress |
Systole | phase where the heart is at work, contracting and pushing blood out of the left ventricle |
Unstable Angina | chest pain that occurs while a person is at rest and not exerting himself |
Vein | vessel that carries blood back to the heart |
Ventricles | the lower two chambers of the heart |
Hypertension | or high blood pressure, when blood pressure consistently measures 140/90 or higher |
Hypotension | or low blood pressure, when blood pressure consistently measures 100/60 or lower |