Term | Definition |
anoxia | absence of oxygen supply to cells that results in damage or death |
anticoagulant | drug that is used to prevent clot formation |
antiplatelet | drug that prevents accumulation of platelets |
antithrombotic | drug that inhibits clot formation by reducing the coagulation action of the blood protein thrombin |
atherosclerosis | accumulation of fatty deposits in the walls of arteries |
artherothrombosis | formation of a blood clot in an artery |
atrial fibrillation | rapid and uncoordinated contractions |
atrial flutter | irregular heart beat in which contractions in the atrium exceed the number of contractions in the ventricle |
cholesterol | dietary lipid normally synthesized by the body |
depolarization | process where the heart muscle conducts an electrical impulse causing a contraction |
ectopic | occuring in an abnormal location |
electrical cardioversion | process of applying an electrical shock to the heart with a defibrillator |
embolic stroke | stroke caused by an emboli obstruction the flow of blood through an artery |
hemorrhagic stroke | sudden bleeding in or around the brain |
hemostasis | process of stopping blood flow |
HDL | good cholesterol |
hyperlipidemia | abnormally high llipid levels in the plasma |
hypoxia | reduced oxygen delivered to cells |
infarction | area of tissue that has died because of a sudden lack of blood supply. |
ischemia | deficient blood supply to an area of the body |
ischemic stroke | ischemia in the brain |
lipoprotein | protein found in the plasma that transports triglycerides and cholesterol |
LDL | bad cholesterol |
mitral valve stenosis | disease of the mitral valve |
platelets | structures found in blood that are involved in the coagulation process |
partial thromboplastin time | test given to determine the effectiveness of heparin in reducing anithrombotic activity |
prothrombin time | test given to determine the effectiveness of warfarin in reducing clotting time |
refractory period | time between contractions that it takes for repolarization to occur |
repolarization | period of time when the heart is recharging and preparing for another contraction |
rhabdomyolysis | breakdown of muscle fibers and release of muscle fiber contents into the circulation |
stenosis | stiffening and narrowing of the arteries |
supraventricular tachycardia | heart rate up to 22 beats/min that originates above the ventricles |
thombolytic | medication used to break up a thrombus or blood clot |
thrombotic stroke | stroke caused by thrombosis |
tissue pasminogen activator | naturally occuring thrombolytic substance |
transient ischemic attack | stroke that typically lasts for a few minutes |
triglycerides | storage form of energy found in fat tissue muscle |
ventricular fibrillation | life threatening arrhythmia where the heart beats up to 600 beats/min |
ventricular tachycardia | ventricles beat faster than 200 beats/min |
Aneurysm | weakened spot of an artery wall that has stretched or burst |