Question | Answer |
angiogram | record (x-ray) of a blood vessel |
angioplasty | surgical repair of a blood vessel |
aortic stenosis | narrowing of the aorta |
arteriosclerosis | hardening of the arteries |
arterial anastomosis | surgical connection between arteries |
arteriography | process of recording (x-ray) arteries after injecting contrast material |
endarterectomy | removal of the inner lining of the artery (when it is filled with plaque) |
atheroma | collection of fatty material in an artery |
atrial | pertaining to an upper chamber of the heart |
atrioventricular | pertaining to an atrium and ventricle (upper and lower chambers of the heart) |
brachial artery | artery that branches from the aorta to bring blood to the arm |
cardiomegaly | enlargement of the heart |
cardiomyopathy | disease of heart muscle |
bradycardia | condition of slow heartbeat |
tachycardia | condition of fast heartbeat |
hypercholesterolemia | condition of excessive cholesterol in the blood |
coronary arteries | arteries branch from the aorta to bring oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle |
cyanosis | abnormal condition of bluish discoloration due to poor oxygenation of blood |
myxoma | benign tumor of the heart. The tumor is embedded in soft mucoid stromal tissue |
hypoxia | condition of decreased oxygen in inspired air; as occurs in high altitudes |
pericardiocentesis | surgical puncture of the membrane surrounding the heart (to remove fluid) |
phlebotomy | incision of vein |
thrombophlebitis | inflammation of a vein with clots |
arrythmia | arrhythmia and dysrhythmia are used to describe abnormal heart rhythm |
sphygmomanometer | instrument used to measure blood pressure |
stethoscope | instrument to examine the chest |
thrombolysis | destruction of clots |
valvuloplasty | surgical repair of a valve |
mitral valvulitis | inflammation of the mitral valve |
valvotomy | incision of a valve |
vasoconstriction | narrowing of vessels |
vasodilation | widening of vessels |
vascular | pertaining to blood vessels |
venous | pertaining to veins |
venipuncture | incision of a vein for phlebotomy or to start an intravenous infusion |
interventricular septum | the wall separating the ventricles of the heart (lower chambers) |
anoxia | without oxygen |
aorta | largest artery in the body |
arteriole | Small artery |
artery | Largest type of blood vessel; carries blood away from the heart to all parts of the body |
atherectomy | Removal of a fatty mass in a vessel |
atherosclerosis | Hardening of arteries with deposit of fatty substance |
atrioventricular bundle (bundle of His) | Specialized muscle fibers connecting the atria with the ventricles and transmitting electrical impulses between them |
atrioventricular node (AV node) | Specialized tissue in the wall between the atria. Electrical impulses bass through |
atrium (plural atria) | One of two upper chambers of the heart |
capillary | Smallest blood vessel, Materials pass to and from the bloodstream through the thin capillary walls |
carbon dioxide | Gas (waste released by body cells, transported via veins to the heart, and then to the lungs for exhalation |
cardiogenic shock | Results from failure of the heart in its pumping action. Shock is circulatory failure associated with inadequate delivery of oxygen and nutrients to body tissues |
deoxygenated blood | Blood that is oxygen poor |
diastole | Relaxation (resting) phase of the heartbeat |
electrocardiogram | Record of the electricity flowing through the heart. It is represented by waves or deflections called P, QRS, and T wave |
endocardium | Inner lining of the heart |
endothelium | Innermost lining of blood vessels |
mitral valve | Valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle; bicuspid valve |
myocardium | Muscular, middle layer of the heart |
normal sinus rhythm | heart rhythm originating in the sinoatrial node with a resting rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute |
oxygen | GAs that enters the blood through the lungs and travels to the heart to be pumped via arteries to all body cells |
pacemaker (sinoarterial node) | Specialized nervous tissue in the right atrium that begins the heartbeat |
pericardium | Double-layered membrane surrounding the heart |
pulmonary artery | Artery carrying oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs. |
pulmonary circulation | Flow of blood from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart |
pulmonary valve | Valve positioned between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery |
pulmonary vein | One of two pairs of vessels carrying oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart |
pulse | Beat of the heart as felt through the walls of the arteries |
septum (plural: septa) | Partition or wall dividing a cavity; such as between the right and left atria and right and left ventricles |
systemic circulation | Flow of blood from body tissue to the heart and then from the heart to the body tissues |
systole | Contraction (working) phase of the heartbeat |
tricuspid valve | Located between the right atrium and the right ventricle; it has three leaflets, or cusps |
valve | Structure in veins or in the heart that temporarily closes an opening so that blood flows in only one direction |
vein | Thin-walled vessel that carries blood from the body tissues and lungs back to the heart |
vena cava (plural: venae cavae) | Largest vein in the body. They return blood to the right atrium of the heart |
ventricle | One of two lower chambers of the heart |
venule | Small vein |
Acute Coronary syndromes | Unstable angina and myocardial infarction, which are consequences of plaque rupture in coronary arteries |
Angina | Chest pain resulting from myocardial ischemia |
Auscultation | Listening for sounds in blood vessels or other body structures, typically using a stethoscope |
bruit | Abnormal blowing or swishing sound heard during auscultation of an artery or organ |
cardiac arrest | Sudden, unexpected stoppage of heart action. |
cardiac tamponade | Pressure on the heart caused by fluid in the pericardial space |
claudication | Pain, tension, and weakness in a leg after walking has begun, but absence of pain at rest |
embolus | Clot or other substance that travels to a distant location and suddenly blocks a blood vessel |
infarction | Area of dead tissue |
nitroglycerin | Nitrate drug used in the treatment of angina |
occlusion | Closure of a blood vessel due to blockage |
palpitations | Uncomfortable sensations in the chest related to cardiac arrhythmias, such as premature ventricular contractions (PVC'S) |
patent | open |
pericardial friction rub | Scraping or grating noise heard on auscultation of the heart |
petechiae | Small, pinpoint hemorrhages |
thrill | Vibration felt over an area or turmoil in blood flow |
vegetations | Clumping of platelets, clotting proteins, microorganisms, and red blood cells on diseased heart valves |
dysrhythmia | Used to describe an abnormal heart rhythm |
pallor | paleness |
ischemia | blood flow is decreased or stopped (held back) |
statins | drugs used to lower cholesterol levels |
beta-blockers | drugs used to reduce the force and speed of heartbeat and to lower blood pressure |
nitroglycerin | a nitrate drug used to treat acute attacks of angina – given sublingually – a vasodilator that increases coronary blood flow and lowers blood pressure |
ACE inhibitors | drugs used to reduce high blood pressure and risk of future heart attack – angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor |
calcium channel blockers | drugs given to relax muscle in blood vessels |
stent | An expandable tubular device (surgically placed) within a narrowed artery to improve blood flow and maintain opening |
-centesis | surgical puncture to remove fluid |
-constriction | narrow (to tighten) |
-dilation | widening; stretching; expanding |
-ectomy | removal; excision; resection |
-emia | blood condition |
-eurysm | widening |
-genic | produced by or in |
-globin | protein |
-graphy | process of recording |
-itis | inflammation |
-ium | structure; tissue |
-lysis | separation; breakdown; destruction; loosening |
-megaly | enlargement |
-oxia | oxygen |
-phoresis | carrying; transmission |
-plasty | surgical repair |
-rrhage -rrhagia | bursting forth (of blood) |
-sclerosis | hardening |
-stenosis | tightening; stricture |
-stenosis | tightening; stricture (narrowing) |
-tomy | incision |
-tropic | pertaining to stimulating |
-tropin | stimulate; act on |
-ule | little; small |
-um | structure; tissue; thing |
a-, an- | no; not; without |
brady- | slow |
de- | lack of; down; less; removal of |
dys- | painful; difficult; abnormal |
end- endo- | in; within |
hemo- | blood |
hyper- | too much; above; excessive |
hypo- | deficient; below; under; less than normal |
inter- | between |
per- | through |
peri- | surrounding |
tachy- | fast |
tetra- | four |
tri- | three |
angi/o | vessel |
aort/o | aorta |
arter/o arteri/o | artery |
arteriol/o | arteriole (small artery) |
arti/o | atrium (upper heart chambers) |
ather/o | yellowish plaque (fatty substance) |
axill/o | armpit |
brachi/o | arm |
cardi/o | heart |
cholesterol/o | cholesterol |
coron/o | heart (Latin: crown) |
corpor/o | body |
cutane/o | skin |
cyan/o | blue |
electr/o | electricity |
idi/o | unknown; individual; distinct |
isch/o | hold back; back |
my/o | muscle |
myx/o | mucus |
necr/o | death |
ox/o | oxygen |
phleb/o | vein |
pulmon/o | lung |
radi/o | x-rays; radioactivity |
rrhythm/o | rhythm |
son/o | sound |
sphygm/o | pulse |
sten/o | narrowing |
stern/o | breastbone |
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steth/o | chest |
thromb/o | clot |
valv/o valvul/o | valve |
varic/o | varicose veins |
vas/o | vessel |
ven/o | vein |
ventricul/o | ventricle |
venul/o | venule (small vein) |
par- | abnormal |
oxysm/o | sudden |
paroxysmal | occurring periodically and episodically |
tele/o | distant |
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