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Disease Blood Vessel
MEDOP 230- Cardiology: Diseases of the Blood Vessel
Term | Definition | Note | |
---|---|---|---|
Aneurysm | An area of dilation and weakness in the wall of an artery. | •Weakened areas balloon with each heartbeat and can rupture without warning.•A dissecting aneurysm enlarges by tunneling between layers of the artery wall. | |
Arteriosclerosis | A progressive degenerative disease that produces narrowed, hardened artery walls. | •Occurs as the arteries become hard and inflexible with age. •Also called arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). | |
Atherosclerosis | Fatty deposits in the walls of arteries that can restrict blood flow. | •Is a specific type of arteriosclerosis that begins with a small tear in the arterial endothelium.•Cholesterol builds up in the tear, leading to formation of an atheromatous plaque. | •Growth of the plaque narrows the arterial lumen and may eventually block blood flow. |
Bruit | A harsh rushing sound made by turbulent blood as it passes through an artery narrowed by arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis. | ||
Coronary artery disease (CAD) | Arteriosclerosis that occurs in the coronary arteries | •May cause angina pectoris.•With blockage, MI may occur. | |
Hyperlipidemia | Presence of elevated fat levels in the blood. | •Hypercholesterolemia = high cholesterol levels •Hypertriglyceridemia = high triglyceride levels | |
Hypertension (HTN) | Elevated blood pressure of > 120/80 mm Hg. | •Diagnosis requires multiple BP readings.•With essential hypertension, cause is unknown.•With secondary hypertension, cause is known. | •Hypertensive crisis (BP > 180/120 mm Hg) requires immediate intervention. |
Hypotension | Decreased blood pressure of < 90/60 mm Hg. | •Usually caused by loss of blood volume.•Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden, temporary decrease in systolic BP upon standing. | |
Peripheral artery disease (PAD). | Arteriosclerosis in the legs; may cause intermittent claudication (calf pain) and cyanosis of the toes and feet | ||
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) | Any disease of the arteries in the extremities; examples include PAD and Raynaud disease. | ||
Phlebitis | Infection or inflammation of a vein. | •Causes pain and possible red streak on skin over the vein. | •Thrombophlebitis involves presence of a clot. |
Raynaud disease | Sudden, severe vasoconstriction of arterioles in the fingers and toes, causing them to turn white or cyanotic | ||
Varicose veins | Condition in which damaged valves in a vein allow the backflow of blood, causing the vein to become distended and twisted. | •May lead to pain and heaviness in the legs. •Often caused by phlebitis, injury, long periods of sitting or standing, and pregnancy. |