Coronary
Artery Disease — Stroke — Hypertension — Cholesterol Medical
Dictionary
Cardiovascular conditions affect the entire
body. While a heart attack or stroke can be immediately
extremely harmful, high cholesterol and high
blood pressure or hypertension can be harmful
in the long run. Knowing what the risk factors
are and how to handle them, therefore, is important.
This medical dictionary covers terms used in
the glossaries from the reports, The
Healthy Heart: Preventing, detecting, and treating
coronary artery disease,
Hypertension: Controlling the ‘Silent
Killer’, Stroke: Preventing and
Treating “Brain
Attack”, and
What to do About High
Cholesterol and includes
details on the structure of the heart and cardiovascular
system, risk factors, symptoms of disease,
the cholesterol and fats that are either harmful
or beneficial, treatments, and more.
ablation: A form of treatment
that uses electrical energy, heat, cold, alcohol,
or other modalities to destroy a small section
of damaged heart tissue.
aldosterone: A hormone secreted
by the adrenal glands that signals the kidneys
to conserve sodium and water; the result is higher
blood pressure.
alpha blockers: A group of
drugs that lower blood pressure by blocking the
effects of adrenaline or adrenaline-like substances
on cells' alpha receptors. Alpha blockers are
also known as alpha-adrenergic antagonists, alpha-adrenergic
blocking agents, and alpha-adrenergic blockers.
aneurysm: A weak spot in a
blood vessel wall that can balloon out. An aneurysm
can be life-threatening if it bursts.
angina:
The medical term for chest pain or discomfort
that occurs when the heart muscle (myocardium)
is not getting as much blood as it needs. Stable
angina, also known as angina pectoris, is
a predictable form usually triggered by activity
or stress. and generally relieved by nitroglycerin
or rest. Unstable angina is unexpected
chest pain usually at rest. Unstable
angina should be treated as an emergency, just
like a heart attack or stroke.
angiogenesis: The formation
of new blood vessels.
angiography: An X-ray test
used to detect diseases of the blood vessels.
It is done during cardiac catheterization.
angioplasty: A procedure used
to widen narrowed arteries, most commonly by
inserting a thin tube, or catheter, into the
affected artery and inflating a balloon.
angiotensin: A chemical produced
by the body that constricts blood vessels and
stimulates the release of aldosterone.
angiotensin-converting
enzyme (ACE) inhibitor: A class of
drugs that stops the production of angiotensin.
This lowers blood pressure and reduces the
heart's workload. ACE inhibitors are used to
treat high blood pressure and heart failure.
angiotensin II receptor
blockers (ARBs):
A class of drugs that blocks the effects of
angiotensin. Like ACE inhibitors, they
keep coronary arteries open, lower blood pressure,
and reduce the heart's workload.
ankle-brachial
index: A test that compares blood
pressure at the ankle with blood pressure at
the elbow. A difference between the two indicates
the presence of peripheral artery disease.
anticoagulants:
Drugs that diminish the blood's ability to clot.
Anticoagulants are sometimes called blood thinners
even though they do not thin the blood. Commonly
used anticoagulant drugs include heparin and
warfarin.
antihypertensives: Medications
used to treat high blood pressure.
antioxidant: A substance that
inhibits oxidation.
antiplatelets: Medications
that interfere with blood clotting by inhibiting
the activity of platelets.
aorta: The large artery emerging
from the heart's left ventricle that distributes
blood to the body.
aortic valve: A three-flap
valve between the left ventricle and the aorta.
aphasia: Difficulty speaking
or comprehending language; a common occurrence
after a stroke affecting the left hemisphere
of the brain, where language is processed.
apolipoproteins: Proteins that
combine with cholesterol and triglyceride to
form lipoproteins.
arrhythmia: An abnormal heart
rhythm caused by a disturbance in the heart’s
electrical system.
arterial resistance: The pressure
that the artery walls exert on blood flow; in
general, the less elastic the arteries, the greater
the arterial resistance and the higher the blood
pressure.
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arterioles: Small, muscular
branches of arteries.
arteriosclerosis: A term encompassing
a variety of conditions in which artery walls
thicken and become less flexible. Sometimes called
hardening of the arteries. Arteriosclerosis occurs
when cholesterol-rich plaque forms on the inner
lining of arteries (atherosclerosis), when artery
walls become calcified, or when high blood pressure
thickens the muscular wall of arteries.
arteriovenous malformation: An
abnormal tangle of blood vessels in which the
arteries feed directly into the veins.
artery:
Vessels that carry blood from the heart to the
various parts of the body.
asystole: The absence of electrical
activity in the heart.
atherosclerosis: Thickening
of the inner layer of artery walls from the buildup
of fat and cholesterol that narrows the passageway
and restricts blood flow. Atherosclerosis is
the disease responsible for most heart attacks
and many strokes.
atherosclerotic plaque: A cholesterol-rich
deposit on an artery wall.
atherothrombotic stroke: A
type of stroke that occurs when a large artery
to the brain is completely blocked by the formation
of a clot.
atrial fibrillation: A common
heart rhythm disturbance in which the atria quiver
ineffectually, allowing blood to pool in the
left atrium and form clots that may travel to
the brain and cause an embolic stroke.
atrioventricular (AV) node:
A major part of the electrical system in the
heart that acts as a gateway between the atria and
the ventricles. An electrical signal generated
by the sinoatrial node (the heart's natural
pacemaker) moves through the heart until it reaches
the atrioventricular node, a cluster of cells
at the bottom of the right atrium. The AV node
delays the signal before it is passed to the
ventricles. This lets the atria fully contract
before the ventricles contract.
atrium (plural, atria): One
of the heart's two upper chambers. The right
atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body;
the left atrium receives oxygenated blood from
the lungs.
autonomic nervous system: The
part of the nervous system that controls involuntary
processes, such as heartbeat and breathing. Its
two arms are the sympathetic and parasympathetic
nervous systems.
basilar artery: The artery
that supplies blood to the cerebellum, the brainstem,
and the back of the brain.
beta-blockers: A class of drugs
that slow the heartbeat, lessen the force of
each contraction, and reduce the contraction
of blood vessels in the heart, brain, and throughout
the body by blocking the action of beta-adrenergic
substances such as adrenaline (epinephrine) at
the beta receptor. Beta blockers, also known
as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, are used
to treat many cardiovascular conditions, including
abnormal heart rhythms, angina, and high blood
pressure. They also improve survival after a
heart attack.
blood pressure: The force the
heart exerts against the walls of the arteries.
Optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm
Hg.
body mass index (BMI): A formula
devised to compare body weight relative to height.
To calculate your BMI using metric units, divide
your weight in kilograms by your height in meters
squared. Using English units, multiply your weight
in pounds by 703, then divide the result by your
height in inches, and divide that result by your
height in inches. A healthy BMI is defined as
18.5 to 24.9. Calculators such as one from the National
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute simplify
the process.
bradycardia: A slow heart rate,
usually below 60 beats per minute.
brainstem: The brain structure
that is the major communication route among the
brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves; it
controls heart rate, breathing, and other vital
functions.
calcium channel blockers: A
class of drugs that lowers blood pressure, slows
the heart rate, and decreases the heart's need
for oxygen by blocking the movement of calcium
into the heart and the muscle cells surrounding
blood vessels.
capillaries: Tiny blood vessels
linking arteries and veins. Capillaries
distribute oxygen-rich blood to the body's tissues.
cardiac arrest: The sudden
cessation of contractions capable of circulating
blood to the body and brain. Also called sudden
cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest usually occurs
as a result of a rapid ventricular rhythm (ventricular
tachycardia) or a chaotic one (ventricular
fibrillation). Death occurs within minutes
unless cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation are
available.
cardiac resynchronization therapy:
A pacemaker-based therapy for heart failure that
improves the heart's pumping efficiency by coordinating
(resynchronizing) the beat of the ventricles.
cardiopulmonary bypass: The
use of a machine (heart/lung machine) to circulate
and oxygenate the blood while surgery is performed
on the heart.
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR):
A combination of chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth
breathing that keep oxygenated blood circulating
to the brain and tissues.
cardiovascular: Refers to the
heart and blood vessels. "cardio" =
heart; "vascular" = blood vessels.
cardioversion: The use of an
electrical shock to stop an abnormal heart rhythm
(arrhythmia) and restore a normal one
(sinus rhythm). Cardioversion can be external,
using pads applied to the chest, or internal,
from a pacemaker-like device called an implantable
cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).
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carotid artery disease: Narrowing
of the carotid artery by the buildup of plaque.
Sometimes called carotid artery stenosis.
It is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke.
carotid artery: One of two
major vessels, on either side of the neck, that
supplies blood to the brain; each one divides
into external carotid, which carries blood to
the face and neck, and the internal carotid,
which carries blood to the front part of the
brain.
carotid bruit: An abnormal
sound heard with a stethoscope in the carotid
artery; people who have carotid bruits have a
greater risk of having a stroke.
carotid endarterectomy: A surgical
procedure that removes plaque from the carotid
artery and restores blood flow to the brain.
cerebral aneurysm: A weakening
and ballooning of the wall of an artery in the
brain.
cerebral angiography: An invasive
imaging procedure used to make detailed x-ray
pictures of the blood vessels in the brain; dye
is injected into the carotid arteries to highlight
the blood vessels on x-rays.
cerebral hemorrhage: Another
term for hemorrhagic stroke.
cerebral infarction: The death
of part of the brain from a lack of oxygen-carrying
blood.
cerebrovascular: Referring
to the brain and its blood vessels.
cerebrovascular accident: The
medical term for a stroke.
cholesterol: A waxy, fat-like
substance produced by the liver and found in
all food from animal sources; an essential component
of body cells and a precursor of bile acids and
certain hormones.
chylomicron: A large, extremely
low-density lipoprotein that transports triglyceride
from the intestine to fat tissue in the body.
Circle of Willis: A group of
arteries at the base of the brain that supplies
blood to all parts of the brain and provides
collateral routes for blood flow if a major vessel
becomes blocked.
collateral circulation: Alternate
routes of blood supply that develop when a coronary
or cerebral artery is blocked.
combined hyperlipidemia: A
condition in which LDL and triglyceride levels
are very high.
computed tomography (CT): An
imaging technique that uses a computer and x-rays
passed through the body at different angles to
create a detailed, nearly three-dimensional picture
of the body.
congestive heart failure: An
older term for heart failure, a disorder
caused by a decrease in the heart’s ability
to pump blood. Congestive heart failure It referred
specifically to the type of heart failure associated
with the accumulation of excess fluid in the
lungs or extremities.
coronary arteries: Blood vessels
that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.
coronary arteriography: An
x-ray procedure that shows blood moving through
the blood vessels and heart. It involves the
injection into the bloodstream of a fluid (contrast
agent) that can be seen on the x-ray. Also known
as coronary angiography; the resulting image
is called an angiogram.
coronary artery bypass surgery: Surgery
that bypasses a blocked coronary artery by grafting
a blood vessel taken from another part of the
body. It is used to restore blood flow to the
heart muscle.
coronary artery disease (CAD):
Narrowing or blockage of the arteries that supply
blood to the heart muscle. The condition can
cause angina and heart attack.
coronary heart disease (CHD):
See coronary artery disease.
C-reactive protein (CRP): A
by-product of inflammation. An elevated level
of high-sensitivity CRP can indicate chronic,
system-wide inflammation which can increase the
risk of heart attack or stroke.
creatine kinase: An enzyme
produced by skeletal tissue and heart muscle.
One form, creatine kinase-MB, is produced only
by the heart. The amount of creatinine kinase-MB
circulating in the blood is usually elevated
when there has been damage to heart muscle, such
as with a heart attack. Testing for this enzyme
is one way to determine if someone is having
a heart attack.
CT angiography (CTA): A form
of high-speed CT scanning that allows doctors
to determine the type of stroke and its extent.
defibrillation: The delivery
of an electric shock to the heart to stop an
abnormal rhythm and restore a normal heartbeat.
diabetes: A disorder in which
blood glucose (sugar) levels are elevated.
diastole: The relaxation phase
of the normal heart cycle.
diastolic
blood pressure: The
bottom number of a blood pressure reading,
such as 134/78. It represents
the pressure in the arteries when the heart
relaxes between beats. Blood pressure is measured
in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
diastolic heart failure: The
inability of the heart to relax properly between
beats (diastole), making it difficult
for the ventricles to fill completely with blood
from the atria. This can occur when the heart
muscle bulks up due to overwork or other causes
or when the heart muscle stiffens and loses it
flexibility.
diuretic:
A drug that eases the heart's workload and decreases
the buildup of fluid in the lungs and other parts
of the body by promoting the excretion of water
and salts. Diuretics (also called water pills)
are used to treat high blood pressure, heart
failure, and some congenital heart defects.
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Doppler ultrasound: A noninvasive
imaging method that uses high-frequency sound
waves to view blood vessels and measure how fast
blood is flowing through them.
dysarthria: A speech disability
caused by an injury to the brain centers controlling
the face, mouth, neck, or throat. People with
dysarthria may be able to understand speech and
form the right words in their mind but cannot
articulate them.
dysphagia: Difficulty chewing
and swallowing food. Dysphagia is extremely common
after a stroke.
dyspnea: Difficulty breathing
or shortness of breath.
echocardiography:
A diagnostic tool that uses high-frequency sound
waves (ultrasound) to make images of the heart's
size, structure and motion.
edema: Swelling due to the
accumulation of fluid between cells.
ejection fraction:
The percentage of blood pumped out of the ventricles
with each heartbeat. A normal ejection fraction
is typically between 55 and 70 percent.
electrocardiogram (EKG): A
recording of the electrical activity in the heart
that is responsible for its contraction and relaxation.
electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT):
A high-speed imaging technology use to evaluate
the heart and measure calcium deposits in arteries.
electrophysiologic
testing: A procedure used to provoke
known or suspected arrhythmias.
embolic stroke: A type of stroke
that occurs when a blood clot that has formed
elsewhere in the body (embolus) breaks
off and travels through the bloodstream until
it blocks an artery that normally supplies blood
to the brain.
embolus: A blood clot or particle
that forms in one part of the body then moves
through the bloodstream and lodges in a blood
vessel elsewhere, blocking blood flow.
endarterectomy: Surgical removal
of plaque or blood clots in an artery.
endocarditis: An inflammation
of the heart lining or valves, usually caused
by bacterial infection.
endocardium: The inner layer
of the wall of the heart.
epicardium: The outer layer
of the wall of the heart.
epinephrine: A chemical released
by the sympathetic nervous system that constricts
blood vessels and increases heart rate; also
called adrenaline.
essential hypertension: High
blood pressure for which there is no known underlying
cause; also called primary hypertension.
exercise stress
test: The use of a treadmill, stationary
bicycle, or other exercise machine while hooked
up to heart-monitoring equipment. The test
is used to determine if the heart's blood supply
is sufficient and if the rhythm remains normal
when the heart is stressed.
familial combined hyperlipidemia: An
inherited disorder in which the liver overproduces very
low-density lipoprotein, causing high levels
of cholesterol or triglycerides, or both.
familial hypercholesterolemia: An
inherited disorder in which the liver cannot
properly remove low-density lipoprotein particles
from the blood, causing a very high cholesterol
level.
fasting lipid profile: A laboratory
test to determine the relative levels of high-density
lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein,
and total cholesterol in the blood. Also
referred to as a lipoprotein analysis, full lipid
profile, or cholesterol profile.
fatty acids: The primary building
blocks of lipids.
fibrillation: Rapid and uncoordinated
contractions of heart muscle fibers. When this
occurs, the muscle can't properly contract or
pump blood.
fibrin: A stringy protein that
is the principal component of a blood clot.
fibrinogen: A chemical that
is part of the blood-clotting process.
foam cells: Lipid-laden cells,
named for their foamy appearance under the microscope.
Foam cells are an early indicator of atherosclerosis.
heart attack:
The common term for a myocardial infarction.
It refers to the damage that occurs when blood
flow to part of the heart is blocked or drastically
restricted. The blockage usually stems from the
rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque.
heart block:
The difficulty or inability of the electrical
signal that triggers a heart contraction to pass
through the atrioventricular node.
heart failure:
The inability of the heart to pump enough blood
to meet the needs of the body's organs.
heart murmur: An abnormal sound
in the heart caused by defective heart valves
or by holes in the heart walls.
heart rate: The number of times
the heart contracts in a minute, normally 60–100
times.
hemianopia: Defective vision
or blindness in one side of the visual field
in one or both eyes; may be caused by an embolic
or low-flow transient ischemic attack or stroke
in the posterior cerebral artery region.
hemiparesis: Muscular weakness
on one side of the body; if the right side is
affected, the stroke damaged the left side of
the brain.
hemiplegia: Paralysis limited
to one side of the body.
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hemorrhage: Severe bleeding
leading to excessive blood loss.
hemorrhagic stroke: A type
of stroke that occurs when a blood vessel ruptures,
cutting off the supply of oxygen and nutrition
to part of the brain.
heparin: An anticoagulant drug
that inhibits blood from clotting by interfering
with coagulation factors. Heparin is usually
administered in the hospital, either by injection
or an intravenous line.
high blood pressure: A longstanding
increase in blood pressure above the normal range — that
is, abnormally high pressure of blood flow against
the artery walls; also called hypertension.
high-density lipoprotein (HDL): A
lipoprotein that protects the arteries by transporting
cholesterol from body cells to the liver and
other sites for elimination; called good cholesterol.
Holter monitor:
A portable device that continually measures and
records the heart's electrical activity for 24
to 48 hours or longer.
homocysteine: An
amino acid formed as part of the normal breakdown
of protein. High blood levels of homocysteine
have been associated with an increased risk for
heart disease. Folic acid and other B vitamins
reduce blood levels of homocysteine.
hydrogenation: The
addition of hydrogen to a compound. Hydrogenation
is used to solidify liquid vegetable oils. The
process creates trans fats, which are
harmful to the heart and blood vessels.
hypercholesterolemia:
High levels of cholesterol in the blood.
hypertension: The
medical term for high blood pressure.
Hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke,
especially hemorrhagic and lacunar strokes, because
it puts excess stress on the walls of blood vessels
and damages their delicate inner lining.
hypertriglyceridemia: High
levels of triglycerides in the blood.
A normal triglyceride level is less than 150
mg/dL.
hypotension: The
medical term for low blood pressure.
implantable
cardioverter defibrillator (ICD):
A device implanted in the chest and connected
to the heart that delivers a shock to stop
a potentially deadly rhythm and restore a normal
(sinus) rhythm.
inferior
vena cava: A major vein that carries
blood from the lower body to the heart.
intermittent
claudication: Periods of poor blood
circulation during exercise or other physical
activity that leads to pain, cramping, or fatigue
in the legs and buttocks. The symptoms subside
with rest. Intermittent claudication is a form
of peripheral artery disease caused by the
buildup of plaque in leg arteries.
intracerebral hemorrhage: A
hemorrhagic stroke that occurs when a blood vessel
ruptures and bleeds into the brain tissue.
ischemia: Decreased blood flow
that limits the supply of oxygen and nutrients
to organs or tissues. Ischemia usually occurs
when a blood vessel is narrowed or blocked by plaque or
a blood clot.
ischemic
heart disease: The most common form
of heart disease, in which narrowed or blocked
coronary arteries have difficulty supplying
sections of the heart muscle with the blood
they need (ischemia).
ischemic
stroke: A stroke caused by an interruption
in the flow of blood to the brain; almost always
caused by a blood clot blocking a blood vessel.
isolated
systolic hypertension: A form of hypertension
characterized by elevated systolic blood pressure
and normal diastolic pressure.
labile hypertension: Blood
pressure that frequently fluctuates between normal
and abnormal during the course of a day, often
within only a few minutes.
lacunar stroke: A small ischemic
stroke caused by the blockage of one of the smaller
blood vessels in the brain; the most common effect
is weakness or disability on one side of the
body.
left ventricular hypertrophy: Thickening
of the left ventricle, the chamber of the heart
that pumps blood to the body.
left-ventricular
assist device (LVAD):
A surgically implanted pump that augments the
pumping action of the left ventricle.
lipids: Fats, oils, and waxes
that serve as building blocks for cells or as
energy sources. Lipids are also capable of accumulating
in the artery walls to form plaque.
lipoprotein: A combination
of fat (lipid) and protein bound together
as packages. The combination allows fats and
cholesterol to move easily through the blood.
See low-density lipoprotein and high-density
lipoprotein.
lipoprotein(a): A type of lipid
that is similar in structure to low-density
lipoprotein.
lobar hemorrhage: An intracerebral
hemorrhage that occurs in the white matter beneath
the cerebral cortex.
low-density lipoprotein (LDL): Spherical
particles that transport cholesterol from the
liver to the rest of the body, which can cause
the buildup of plaque in the arteries;
called bad cholesterol because high levels are
associated with a high risk for heart attack.
lumbar puncture: A procedure
in which a hollow needle is inserted into the
lower part of the spinal canal to withdraw fluid
for testing. Also called a spinal tap.
lumen: The open space inside
a blood vessel.
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magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A
noninvasive imaging technique that uses magnetic
fields to capture detailed images of the brain;
sometimes used instead of cerebral angiography.
malignant hypertension: A dangerous
type of high blood pressure marked by an unusually
sudden rise in blood pressure to very high levels,
often accompanied by headache, blurred vision,
and seizures.
meninges: The three membranes
that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord.
mitral valve: A two-flap valve
situated between the left atrium and the left
ventricle.
mitral valve prolapse: A valve
problem in which one or both of the mitral valve
flaps collapse backward into the left atrium.
This may allow a small amount of blood to leak
backward (regurgitate) through the valve.
mitral valve stenosis: A narrowing
of the mitral valve opening that limits blood
flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle.
monounsaturated fats: A type
of fat that is abundant in olive, peanut, sesame,
and canola oils. Monounsaturated fats are good
for the heart and arteries.
myocardial infarction: Medical
term for heart attack, the sudden death
of part of the heart muscle from lack of oxygen.
myocarditis: Inflammation of
the heart muscle (myocardium).
myocardium:
The middle layer of heart tissue. The muscular
myocardium is sandwiched between the outer layer
(epicardium) and the inner layer (endocardium).
neurotransmitters: Chemicals
released by nerve cells that transmit messages
to other nearby cells.
neutropenia: An
abnormally low number of white blood cells.
nitroglycerin:
A drug that relaxes blood vessels and increases
the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart while
reducing its workload. It is commonly used to
treat angina.
norepinephrine: A neurotransmitter
that constricts blood vessels.
obstructive
sleep apnea: A disorder characterized
by heavy snoring and interrupted breathing
during sleep. Often associated with obesity,
obstructive sleep apnea is a risk factor for
stroke.
oxidation: A
process in which oxygen combines with a substance,
altering its structure and changing or destroying
its normal function.
pacemaker, artifical: An electrical
device that regulates the speed and rhythm of
the heart when the heart can no longer do that
itself.
pacemaker, natural: A specialized
cluster of cells called the sinoatrial node in
the top of the right atrium. The pacemaker produces
a steady flow of "beat now" signals
that flash across the atria and then pass through
the atrioventricular node to the ventricles.
palpitations:
A sensation that the heart is beating rapidly
or irregularly.
pathology: The
underlying abnormalities in biology and physiology
that contribute to or are characteristic of a
disease.
percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty:
Another name for angioplasty.
perfusion:
Blood flow.
pericarditis:
Inflammation of the pericardium, the heart's
sac-like covering.
pericardium:
The fibrous sac that surrounds the heart.
peripheral
artery disease (PAD): A condition
caused by atherosclerosis in the arteries
in or leading to the legs.
peripheral
vascular disease: A general term for
diseases of blood vessels outside the heart
and brain. One of the most common forms is peripheral
artery disease.
physiatrist: A physician who
specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
plaque: A fatty buildup of
cholesterol, calcium, and other substances inside
a blood vessel.
plasmin: An
enzyme that breaks down fibrin and dissolves
blood clots.
platelets: Minute, colorless
disks in the blood that are instrumental in clotting.
polyunsaturated
fats: A type of fat that is abundant
in soybean, corn, cottonseed, safflower, and
sunflower oils, as well as in fatty fish. One
type, omega-3 fats, are especially important
for cardiovascular health.
prehypertension: A
condition that increases the risk of developing
high blood pressure; defined as 120–139
mm Hg systolic pressure or 80–89 diastolic
pressure.
premature
atrial contraction: An early beat
in an atria that feels like the heart skipped
a beat.
premature ventricular
contraction: An early beat in a ventricle
that feels like the heart skipped a beat.
pulmonary
veins: The veins that carry blood
from the lungs to the left atrium.
pulse pressure: The difference
between systolic and diastolic blood pressures
(systolic pressure minus diastolic pressure =
pulse pressure). It may help predict heart disease
risk.
regurgitation:
Leakage of blood back into a heart chamber that
occurs when a heart valve doesn't close properly
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renal artery
stenosis: Narrowing of an artery that
supplies blood to the kidney.
renin: An
enzyme released by the kidney that stimulates
production of angiotensin.
reperfusion
therapy: Techniques used to restart
circulation to part of the heart or brain that
has been cut off from blood flow during a heart
attack or stroke. Reperfusion may entail clot-dissolving
drugs, balloon angioplasty, or surgery.
resistant
hypertension: Blood pressure that
remains persistently elevated despite drug
therapy and lifestyle changes.
restenosis: Renarrowing
of a blood vessel that has been widened (with
or without stents) during angioplasty.
saturated fats: A type of fat
that is abundant in red meat, lard, butter, cheese,
and vegetable oils such as palm and coconut oil.
A diet high in saturate fat increases the amount
of low-density lipoprotein in the bloodstream
as well as the risk of heart disease.
secondary
hypertension: High blood pressure
that has an identifiable, often correctable,
cause.
septum:
The muscular wall dividing the left side of the
heart from the right side.
sinoatrial node:
The natural pacemaker of the heart. Located
in the right atrium, the sinoatrial node, sometimes
called the sinus node, initiates the heart's
electrical activity.
sinus
rhythm: The heart's "normal" rate
and rhythm.
sphygmomanometer:
An instrument used to measure blood pressure.
stable
angina: Chest pain or discomfort that
predictably happens with physical activity
or stress.
statins: Cholesterol-lowering
medications that interfere with the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme
A reductase; also known as HMG-CoA reductase
inhibitors. Statins work by changing the way
the liver processes lipids.
stenosis:
The narrowing of a blood vessel or heart valve.
stent: A
wire mesh tube smaller than the spring inside
a ballpoint pen that is inserted into a coronary
artery to prop it open once a blockage has been
cleared by angioplasty.
stress test: A
diagnostic test in which cardiovascular measurements — including
heart rate, blood pressure, and electrical activity — are
recorded while the heart is being stressed (usually
by having the person exercise on a treadmill
or bicycle).
stroke: A “brain attack”;
occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain
becomes obstructed or tears.
subarachnoid
hemorrhage: A hemorrhagic stroke that
occurs when a blood vessel on the surface of
the brain bursts and bleeds into the space
between the brain and the skull; usually caused
by an aneurysm or other blood vessel malformation.
superior vena
cava: The major vein that carries
deoxygenated blood from the upper body to the
heart.
supraventricular
tachycardia: An abnormally fast heartbeat
originating in heart tissue above the ventricles.
syncope:
Fainting or loss of consciousness caused by a
temporary shortage of oxygen in the brain.
systole:
The contraction phase of the normal heart cycle.
During systole, blood is pumped into the aorta
and the pulmonary artery.
systolic
blood pressure: The top number of
a blood pressure reading, such as 134/78.
It represents the pressure in the arteries
during the heart's pumping phase. Blood pressure
is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
systolic heart failure:
The inability of the heart to pump blood efficiently
due to weakening and enlargement of the ventricles.
Systolic heart failure is usually caused by coronary
artery disease, high blood pressure, and valvular
heart disease.
tachycardia:
An abnormally fast heartbeat, usually above 100
beats per minute.
thrombolysis:
Breaking up a blood clot.
thrombolytic
agents: Agents or medications that
dissolve blood clots and restore blood flow
through a blocked artery; used to treat heart
attack and stroke. Also called “clot
busters.” One example is tissue plasminogen
activator.
thrombosis:
The formation of a blood clot (thrombus) inside
a blood vessel or a chamber of the heart.
thrombus: A blood clot that
forms inside a blood vessel or chamber of the
heart.
tissue
plasminogen activator (tPA): A clot-dissolving
drug sometimes used to halt a heart attack
or stroke. tPA must be used within a few hours
after symptoms begin.
trans
fats: A type of fat made during hydrogenation
of liquid vegetable oil. Trans fats are found
in many solid margarines, commercially prepared
baked goods, and fried foods in many restaurants.
Trans fats increase harmful low-density
lipoprotein, decrease protective high-density
lipoprotein, and promote blood clotting
and inflammation.
transcranial
Doppler scanning: An ultrasound technique
that makes images of the major arteries at
the base of the brain.
transient
ischemic attack (TIA): A brain attack
that resolves on its own within 24 hours. A
TIA is often the first sign of an impending
stroke, but may cause damage on its own.
tricuspid valve:
A three-flap valve that sits between the right
atrium and the right ventricle.
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triglyceride: The
primary type of fat in the body and in the diet,
formed from three fatty-acid molecules and one
glycerol molecule.
troponins: Proteins found in
heart muscle that leak into the circulation during
a heart attack or other heart injury.
ultrasound:
High-frequency sound waves used in medical diagnosis.
unsaturated
fats: A type of fat in which some
of the hydrogen atoms in each molecule have
been replaced by double bonds; includes monounsaturated
and polyunsaturated fats.
unstable
angina: Unexpected chest pain or discomfort
usually occurring at rest. Unstable angina
should be treated as an emergency.
variant angina pectoris: Also
called Prinzmetal's angina, these are attacks
of chest pain caused by spasms of one or more
coronary arteries almost always while a person
is at rest.
vascular:
Referring to blood vessels.
vasoconstrictors: Substances
that constrict blood vessels.
vasodilators: Substances
that widen blood vessels.
vasospasm: A
frequent complication following a hemorrhagic
stroke in which a blood vessel contracts uncontrollably.
vein:
A vessel that carries blood from the body back
to the heart.
ventricle:
One of the two lower chambers of the heart. The
right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs; the
left ventricle pumps blood to the rest of the
body.
ventricular
fibrillation: A deadly heart rhythm
in which the ventricles contract independently
of the atria and in a chaotic manner.
ventricular
tachycardia: A very fast heartbeat
that starts in the ventricles. Ventricular
tachycardia can be deadly if it renders the
heart unable to pump enough blood to the body.
venules:
Small veins.
vertebral artery: One
of two blood vessels that run up the back of
the neck and join at the base of the skull to
form the basilar artery. The vertebral arteries
carry blood from the heart to the brain.
very-low-density lipoprotein
(VLDL): A lipoprotein that
transports triglyceride made in the
liver to fat tissue in the body. VLDL eventually
becomes low-density lipoprotein after
the triglyceride has been removed.
warfarin: An anticoagulant drug
that prevents blood clotting; people taking it
must have regular blood tests to make sure their
blood does not clot too readily or too slowly.
white-coat
hypertension: Blood pressure elevations
that occur in the doctor's office but not at
home.
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