Term | Definition |
Aneurysm | Localized weak spot or ballon-like enlargement of the wall of an artery |
Dyscrasia | An abnormal or disordered state of the body or of a bodily part |
Diuretic | Rids the body of excess sodium and water |
Cardiomyopathy | Is the term used to describe all diseases of the heart muscle |
Defibrillation | Electrical shock to restore the heart's normal rhythm |
Pericardium | Double-walled membranous sac that encloses the heart |
ACE Inhibitor | Blocks the action of the enzyme that causes the blood vessels to contract, resulting in hypertension |
Beta-Blocker | Reduces the work load of the heart by slowing the rate of the heart |
Myocardial Infarction | (Heart attack) Is the blockage of one or more coronary arteries caused by plaque buildup |
Cholesterol | A fatty substance that travels through the blood and is found in all parts of the body |
Angioplasty | Technique of mechanically widening a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel |
Atrial Fibrillation | When the normal rhythmic contractions of the atria are replaced by irregular twitching of the muscular heart wall |
Automated External Defibrillator | Non professionals in emergency situations when defibrillation is required |
Cardiac Catheterization | Procedure in which a catheter is passed into a vein or artery and then guided into the heart |
Pulmonary Arteries | The artery carrying blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation |
Systolic Pressure | The top number refers to the amount of pressure in your arteries during contraction of your heart muscle |
Ventricular Fibrillation | Rapid, irregular, and useless contractions of the ventricles |
Deep Vein Thrombosis | A blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs |
Ischemic Heart Disease | A group of cardiac disabilities resulting from an insufficient supply of oxygenated blood to the heart |
Stent | A tubular support placed temporarily inside a blood vessel, canal, or duct to aid healing or relieve an obstruction. |
Valvulitis | Inflammation of a heart valve |
Myocarditis | Inflammation of the middle layer of the heart wall. |
Atherosclerosis | Is hardening an narrowing of the arteries caused by a buildup of cholesterol plaque on the walls of the arteries |
Phlebitis | Inflammation of a vein |
Polyarteritis | Inflammatory disease that involves all layers of the arterial wall |
Hemochromatosis | Too much iron in the body |
Hemoglobin | Oxygen carrying blood protein pigment of the erythrocytes |
Bradycardia | Abnormally slow resting heart rate |
Ventricular tachycardia | Very rapid heartbeat that begins within the ventricles |
D&C | Dilation and curettage |
D5W | Sugar water |
DNR | Do not resuscitate |
DOA | Dead on arrival |
DOB | Date of birth |
DVT | Deep venous thrombosis |
DX | Diagnose |