Term | Definition |
heart | propels blood for the transport of respiratory gases, nutrients, wastes, and immune substances in the body |
endocardium | inner lining of the heart |
myocardium | heart muscle |
epicardium | top layer of the heart |
pericardium | sac holding the heart |
Right and Left atria | receive blood |
ventricles | pump blood from the heart |
valves | prevent back flow of blood |
arteries | carry blood away from the heart |
capillaries | join the arterial system with the venous system |
veins | carry blood to the heart |
aneurysm/o | aneurysm |
angi/o, vascul/o | vessel |
aort/o | aorta |
arteri/o | artery |
arteriol/o | arteriole |
atri/o | atrium |
ather/o | fatty plaque |
cardi/o, coron/o | heart |
electr/o | electricity |
embol/o | embolus |
hemangi/o | blood vessel |
my/o | muscle |
phleb/o, ven/o | vein |
scler/o | hardening |
sept/o | septum |
sphygm/o | pulse |
sten/o | narrowing, stricture |
thromb/o | blood clot |
valv/o, valvul/o | valve |
ventricul/o | ventricle |
-cardia | heart condition |
arteriosclerosis | degenerative disease of the arteries caused by buildup of fatty plaque (atheroma) |
coronary artery disease (CAD) | any disorder of the coronary arteries that affects their ability to deliver blood to the myocardium |
aneurysm | local dilation of an artery which may cause thrombus formation, hemorrhage from rupture, or ischemia |
varicose veins | twisted, enlarged veins caused by blood pooling in the veins, especially in the legs |
coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) | grafted vessel anastomosed around a locked segment of the coronary artery (indicated for CAD) |
percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) | Stent placed at site of plaque via balloon catheter |
carotid artery ultrasound | ultrasound probe passed over the carotid to identify blockages in the artery |
endarterectomy | removes atheromatous plaque from the inner lining of the carotid artery |
electrocardiography (ECG/EKG) | records electrical impulses of the heart using electrodes places strategically on the body |
Holter monitor | ECG that records electrical activity for 24-48 hours |
Stress test | ECG that evaluates heart function under stressful conditions |
Implantable cardioverter-defibrilator | implanted in patients at risk for arrhythmias. monitors heart rate and corrects tachycardia, bradycardia, and delivers electricity to restart the heart if it stops |
cardiac catheterization | catheter guided into the heart for diagnostic purposes |
coronary angiography | cardiac cath under fluoroscopic guidance |
ACE inhibitors | lower blood pressure |
ARBs | lower blood pressure |
antiarrhythmics | prevent, alleviate, or correct arrhythmias |
anticoagulants | inhibit coagulation to prevent formation of clots |
beta blockers | block the affect of adrenaline |
calcium channel blockers | block movement of calcium |
diuretics | reduce fluid buildup |
nitrates | dilate blood vessels of the heart |
statins | lower cholesterol |