Glossary of cardiology

This glossary encompasses key terms and concepts used in the field of cardiology, the medical specialty dealing with disorders of the heart and parts of the circulatory system.

A[edit | edit source]

Angina Pectoris - A condition marked by severe pain in the chest, often also spreading to the shoulders, arms, and neck, caused by an inadequate blood supply to the heart.
Aneurysm - An abnormal bulge or ballooning in the wall of a blood vessel, which can affect any blood vessel in the body, including the heart.

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Bradycardia - Abnormally slow heart action, which may cause fatigue, dizziness, or fainting spells due to insufficient blood flow.

C[edit | edit source]

Cardiomyopathy - A group of diseases that affect the heart muscle itself and hinder its ability to pump effectively.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) - A common type of heart disease caused by plaque buildup in the wall of the arteries that supply blood to the heart.

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Dysrhythmia - An abnormality in a physiological rhythm, especially in the activity of the brain or heart. Also known as arrhythmia.

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Echocardiogram - A test that uses sound waves to produce live images of the heart, allowing doctors to monitor how the heart and its valves are functioning.

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Hypertension - Also known as high blood pressure, it's a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated.

I[edit | edit source]

Ischemia - An inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body, especially the heart muscles.

M[edit | edit source]

Myocardial Infarction - Commonly known as a heart attack, it occurs when a part of the heart muscle doesn’t receive enough blood flow.

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Pericarditis - Inflammation of the pericardium, the fluid-filled sac that surrounds the heart and the proximal ends of the aorta, vena cava, and other large blood vessels.

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Stenosis - The abnormal narrowing of a passage in the body. When referring to heart conditions, it often implies the narrowing of one of the heart's valves.

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Tachycardia - A condition that makes the heart beat more than 100 times per minute.

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Valvular Heart Disease - Any disease process involving one or more of the four valves of the heart (the aortic, mitral, pulmonary, and tricuspid valves).

More cardiology and related terms[edit | edit source]

AV - noun the eleventh month of the civil year; the fifth month of the ecclesiastical year in the Jewish calendar (in July and August)
Abdomen - noun the region of the body of a vertebrate between the thorax and the pelvis the cavity containing the major viscera; in mammals it is separated from the thorax by the diaphragm
Abdominal aorta - noun a branch of the descending aorta
Abdominal aortic aneurysm - an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta associated with old age and hypertension
Ablation - noun surgical removal of a body part or tissue the erosive process that reduces the size of glaciers
Acebutolol - an oral beta blocker (trade name Sectral) used in treating hypertension
Acetylcholine - noun a neurotransmitter that is a derivative of choline; released at the ends of nerve fibers in the somatic and parasympathetic nervous systems
Acetylsalicylic acid - noun the acetylated derivative of salicylic acid; used as an analgesic anti-inflammatory drug (trade names Bayer and Empirin) usually taken in tablet form; used as an antipyretic; slows clotting of the blood by poisoning platelets
Acquired-heart-disease - Heart disease that arises after birth, usually from infection or through the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries that feed the heart muscle.
Acromegaly - enlargement of bones of hands and feet and face; often accompanied by headache and muscle pain and emotional disturbances; caused by overproduction of growth hormone by the anterior pituitary gland (due to a tumor)
Action potential - the local voltage change across the cell wall as a nerve impulse is transmitted
Adenoma - a benign epithelial tumor of glandular origin
Adrenaline - a catecholamine secreted by the adrenal medulla in response to stress (trade name Adrenalin); stimulates autonomic nerve action
Aerobic exercise - exercise that increases the need for oxygen
Aesculus hippocastanum - tree having palmate leaves and large clusters of white to red flowers followed by brown shiny inedible seeds
Alcohol - a liquor or brew containing alcohol as the active agent; any of a series of volatile hydroxyl compounds that are made from hydrocarbons by distillation
Aldactone - a synthetic corticosteroid (trade name Aldactone) used to treat hypertension
Amiodarone - noun an antiarrhythmic drug (trade name Cordarone) that has potentially fatal side effects and is used to control serious heart rhythm problems only when safer agents have been ineffective
Amiodarone - an antiarrhythmic drug (trade name Cordarone) that has potentially fatal side effects and is used to control serious heart rhythm problems only when safer agents have been ineffective
Anemia - genus of terrestrial or lithophytic ferns having pinnatifid fronds; chiefly of tropical America; a deficiency of red blood cells; a lack of vitality
Aneurysm - noun a cardiovascular disease characterized by a saclike widening of an artery resulting from weakening of the artery wall
Angina pectoris - a heart condition marked by paroxysms of chest pain due to reduced oxygen to the heart
Angina Angina (an-JI-nuh or AN-juh-nuh) is chest pain or discomfort that occurs if an area of your heart muscle doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood. It may feel like pressure or squeezing in your chest. The pain also can occur in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. Angina pain may even feel like indigestion.
Angiography - noun roentgenographic examination of blood vessels after injection of a radiopaque contrast medium; produces an angiogram
Angioplasty - noun an operation to repair a damaged blood vessel or unblock a coronary artery
Angiotensin-II-receptor-blocker A medicine that lowers blood pressure by blocking the action of angiotensin II, a chemical in the body that causes the blood vessels to tighten
Ankylosing spondylitis - a chronic form of spondylitis primarily in males and marked by impaired mobility of the spine; sometimes leads to ankylosis
Annulus - noun (Fungi) remnant of the partial veil that in mature mushrooms surrounds the lower part of the stem a toroidal shape
Antiarrhythmics Medicines used to treat patients who have irregular heart rhythms.
Anticoagulant - noun medicine that prevents or retards the clotting of blood
Antidepressant - any of a class of drugs used to treat depression; often have undesirable side effects
Antihistamine - a medicine used to treat allergies and hypersensitive reactions and colds; works by counteracting the effects of histamine on a receptor site
Antihypertensive - noun a drug that reduces high blood pressure
Antihypertensive - a drug that reduces high blood pressure
Antiplatelet-therapy Medicines that stop platelets from sticking together and forming a blood clot.
Anxiety - a vague unpleasant emotion that is experienced in anticipation of some (usually ill-defined) misfortune; a relatively permanent state of anxiety occurring in a variety of mental disorders
Aorta - noun the large trunk artery that carries blood from the left ventricle of the heart to branch arteries
Aortic stenosis - abnormal narrowing of the aortic valve
Aortic valve - noun a semilunar valve between the left ventricle and the aorta; prevents blood from flowing from the aorta back into the heart
Aphasia - noun inability to use or understand language (spoken or written) because of a brain lesion
Arginine - a bitter tasting amino acid found in proteins and necessary for nutrition; its absence from the diet leads to a reduced production of spermatozoa
Arrhythmia An arrhythmia (ah-RITH-me-ah) is a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm.
Arrhythmia - noun an abnormal rate of muscle contractions in the heart
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) – ARVD is a type of cardiomyopathy with no known cause. It appears to be a genetic condition (passed down through a family’s genes). ARVD causes ventricular arrhythmias.
Arteriography – A test that is combined with cardiac catheterization to visualize an artery or the arterial system after injection of a contrast dye.
Arterioles – Small, muscular branches of arteries. When they contract, they raise resistance to blood flow, and blood pressure in the arteries increases.
Arteriosclerosis - noun sclerosis of the arterial walls
Arteritis - noun inflammation of an artery
Artery - noun a major thoroughfare that bears important traffic a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body
Artificial heart - noun a pump that replaces the natural heart
Artificial heart - a pump that replaces the natural heart
Ascending aorta - noun the ascending part of the aorta as it emerges from the left ventricle
Aspirin - noun the acetylated derivative of salicylic acid; used as an analgesic anti-inflammatory drug (trade names Bayer and Empirin) usually taken in tablet form; used as an antipyretic; slows clotting of the blood by poisoning platelets
Atenolol - an oral beta blocker (trade name Tenormin) used in treating hypertension and angina; has adverse side effects (depression and exacerbation of congestive heart failure etc.)
Atherosclerosis - noun a stage of arteriosclerosis involving fatty deposits (atheromas) inside the arterial walls
Atorvastatin - an oral drug (trade name Lipitor) that is effective in lowering triglycerides; potent in reducing LDL cholesterol because higher doses can be given
Atrioventricular block - noun recurrent sudden attacks of unconsciousness caused by impaired conduction of the impulse that regulates the heartbeat
Atrioventricular node - a node of specialized heart muscle located in the septal wall of the right atrium; receives impulses from the sinoatrial node and transmits them to atrioventricular bundle
Atrioventricular - adj. relating to or affecting the atria and ventricles of the heart
Atrium - noun the central area in a building; open to the sky any chamber that is connected to other chambers or passageways (especially one of the two upper chambers of the heart)
Atropine - a poisonous crystalline alkaloid extracted from the nightshade family; used as an antispasmodic and to dilate the eye pupil; also administered in large amounts as an antidote for organophosphate nerve agents or organophosphate insecticides
Autologous - adj. derived from organisms of the selfsame individual
Autoregulation - noun (physiology) processes that maintain a generally constant physiological state in a cell or organism
BARI - capital city of the Apulia region on the Adriatic coast
Bacteria - noun (microbiology) single-celled or noncellular spherical or spiral or rod-shaped organisms lacking chlorophyll that reproduce by fission; important as pathogens and for biochemical properties; taxonomy is difficult; often considered plants
Bacteria – Germs that can lead to disease.
Bacterial endocarditis – A bacterial infection of the lining of the heart’s chambers (called the endocardium) or of the heart’s valves.
Balloon catheter * – A long tube-like device with a small balloon on the end that can be threaded through an artery. Used in angioplasty or valvuloplasty.
Balloon valvuloplasty – A procedure to repair a heart valve. A balloon-tipped catheter is threaded through an artery and into the heart. The balloon is inflated to open and separate any narrowed or stiffened flaps (called leaflets) of a valve.
Behavior - manner of acting or controlling yourself; (psychology) the aggregate of the responses or reactions or movements made by an organism in any situation; the action or reaction of something (as a machine or substance) under specified circumstances; (behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
Belladonna - an alkaloidal extract or tincture of the poisonous belladonna plant that is used medicinally; perennial Eurasian herb with reddish bell-shaped flowers and shining black berries; extensively grown in United States; roots and leaves yield atropine
Beta-blocker – An antihypertensive medicine that limits the activity of epinephrine, a hormone that increases blood pressure.
Beta - preliminary or testing stage of a software or hardware product; second in order of importance; the 2nd letter of the Greek alphabet; beets
Biopsy – The process by which a small sample of tissue is taken for examination.
Black tea - fermented tea leaves
Blalock-Taussig procedure – A shunt between the subclavian and pulmonary arteries used to increase the supply of oxygen-rich blood in “blue babies” (see below).
Blood clot – A jelly-like mass of blood tissue formed by clotting factors in the blood. Clots stop the flow of blood from an injury. Clots can also form inside an artery when the artery’s walls are damaged by atherosclerotic buildup, possibly causing a heart attack or stroke.
Blood pressure – The force or pressure exerted by the heart in pumping blood; the pressure of blood in the arteries.
Blood pressure - the pressure of the circulating blood against the walls of the blood vessels; results from the systole of the left ventricle of the heart; sometimes measured for a quick evaluation of a person's health
Blue babies – Babies who have a blue tinge to their skin (cyanosis) resulting from insufficient oxygen in the arterial blood. This condition often indicates a heart defect.
Body mass index (BMI) – A number that indicates an increased risk of cardiovascular disease from a person being overweight. BMI is calculated using a formula of weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (BMI =W [kg]/H [m2]).
Body temperature - temperature of the body; normally 98.6 F or 37 C in humans; usually measured to obtain a quick evaluation of a person's health
Bradycardia – Abnormally slow heartbeat.
Breathing - passing or able to pass air in and out of the lungs normally; sometimes used in combination; the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
Bridge to transplant – Use of mechanical circulatory support to keep heart failure patients alive until a donor heart becomes available.
Bronchitis - inflammation of the membranes lining the bronchial tubes
Bruit – A sound made in the blood vessels resulting from turbulence, perhaps because of a buildup of plaque or damage to the vessels.
Bundle branch block – A condition in which parts of the heart’s conduction system are defective and unable to conduct the electrical signal normally, causing an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia).
Bypass – Surgery that can improve blood flow to the heart (or other organs and tissues) by providing a new route, or “bypass” around a section of clogged or diseased artery.
CABG - open-heart surgery in which the rib cage is opened and a section of a blood vessel is grafted from the aorta to the coronary artery to bypass the blocked section of the coronary artery and improve the blood supply to the heart
CAD - someone who is morally reprehensible; software used in art and architecture and engineering and manufacturing to assist in precision drawing
CARET - a mark used by an author or editor to indicate where something is to be inserted into a text
CREATE - verb create by artistic means; pursue a creative activity; be engaged in a creative activity; bring into existence; invest with a new title, office, or rank; make or cause to be or to become; create or manufacture a man-made product
Caffeine - a bitter alkaloid found in coffee and tea that is responsible for their stimulating effects
Calcification - a process that impregnates something with calcium (or calcium salts); an inflexible and unchanging state; tissue hardened by deposition of lime salts
Calcium channel blocker (or calcium blocker) – A medicine that lowers blood pressure by regulating calcium-related electrical activity in the heart.
Capillaries – Microscopically small blood vessels between arteries and veins that distribute oxygen-rich blood to the body’s tissues.
Capoten - a drug (trade name Capoten) that blocks the formation of angiotensin in the kidneys resulting in vasodilation; used in the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure
Captopril - a drug (trade name Capoten) that blocks the formation of angiotensin in the kidneys resulting in vasodilation; used in the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure
Carbon monoxide - an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon
Cardiac amyloidosis – A disorder caused by deposits of an abnormal protein (amyloid) in the heart tissue, which make it hard for the heart to work properly. Also called “stiff heart syndrome.”
Cardiac arrest – The stopping of the heartbeat, usually because of interference with the electrical signal (often associated with coronary heart disease).
Cardiac cachexia – A term for the muscle and weight loss caused by severe heart disease. It is often related to the depressed cardiac output associated with end-stage heart failure, but it can also occur with severe coronary artery disease.
Cardiac enzymes – Complex substances capable of speeding up certain biochemical processes in the heart muscle. Abnormal levels of these enzymes signal heart attack.
Cardiac output – The amount of blood the heart pumps through the circulatory system in one minute.
Cardiac output - the amount of blood pumped out by the ventricles in a given period of time
Cardiac tamponade - mechanical compression of the heart resulting from large amounts of fluid collecting in the pericardial space and limiting the heart's normal range of motion
Cardiac – Pertaining to the heart.
Cardiogenic shock - shock caused by cardiac arrest
Cardiologist – A doctor who specializes in the study of the heart and its function in health and disease.
Cardiology – The study of the heart and its function in health and disease.
Cardiomegaly – An enlarged heart. It is usually a sign of an underlying problem, such as high blood pressure, heart valve problems, or cardiomyopathy.
Cardiomyopathy – A disease of the heart muscle that leads to generalized deterioration of the muscle and its pumping ability.
Cardiopulmonary bypass – The process by which a machine is used to do the work of the heart and lungs so the heart can be stopped during surgery.
Cardiovascular (CV) – Pertaining to the heart and blood vessels that make up the circulatory system.
Cardiovascular Disease - a disease of the heart or blood vessels
Cardiovascular disease Cardiovascular disease is the term for all types of diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels, including coronary heart disease (plaque accumulation in arteries), which can cause heart attacks, stroke, heart failure, and peripheral artery disease.
Cardiovascular system - the organs and tissues involved in circulating blood and lymph through the body
Cardioversion – A technique of applying an electrical shock to the chest to convert an abnormal heartbeat to a normal rhythm.
Cardizem - a calcium blocker (trade name Cardizem) used in treating hypertension or angina or heart failure
Carotene - yellow or orange-red fat-soluble pigments in plants; an orange isomer of an unsaturated hydrocarbon found in many plants; is converted into vitamin A in the liver
Carotid artery – A major artery (right and left) in the neck supplying blood to the brain.
Carvedilol - beta blocker that can reduce the progression of heart failure in individuals whose disease is not advanced
Cerebral embolism – A blood clot formed in one part of the body and then carried by the bloodstream to the brain, where it blocks an artery.
Cerebral hemorrhage – Bleeding within the brain resulting from a ruptured blood vessel, aneurysm, or head injury.
Cerebral thrombosis – Formation of a blood clot in an artery that supplies part of the brain.
Cerebrovascular accident – Also called cerebral vascular accident, apoplexy, or stroke. Blood supply to some part of the brain is slowed or stopped, resulting in injury to brain tissue.
Cerebrovascular accident - a sudden loss of consciousness resulting when the rupture or occlusion of a blood vessel leads to oxygen lack in the brain
Cerebrovascular occlusion – The blocking or closing of a blood vessel in the brain.
Cerebrovascular – Pertaining to the blood vessels of the brain.
Chelation - the process of forming a ring by forming one or more hydrogen bonds; (medicine) the process of removing a heavy metal from the bloodstream by means of a chelate as in treating lead or mercury poisoning
Chest pain - pain in the chest
Cholesterol – An oily substance that occurs naturally in the body, in animal fats and in dairy products, and that is transported in the blood. Limited amounts are essential for the normal development of cell membranes. Excess amounts can lead to coronary artery disease.
Cholesterol - an animal sterol that is normally synthesized by the liver; the most abundant steroid in animal tissues
Chronic bronchitis - a form of bronchitis characterized by excess production of sputum leading to a chronic cough and obstruction of air flow
Cineangiography – The technique of using moving pictures to show how a special dye passes through blood vessels, allowing doctors to diagnose diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
Circulatory system – Pertaining to circulation of blood through the heart and blood vessels.
Claudication – A tiredness or pain in the arms and legs caused by an inadequate supply of oxygen to the muscles, usually due to narrowed arteries or peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
Clonidine - an antihypertensive (trade name Catapres) that can be administered orally or via transdermal patches
Cocaine - a narcotic (alkaloid) extracted from coca leaves; used as a surface anesthetic or taken for pleasure; can become powerfully addictive
Coenzyme Q - any of several quinones found in living cells and that function as coenzymes that transfer electrons from one molecule to another in cell respiration
Coffee - a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans; any of several small trees and shrubs native to the tropical Old World yielding coffee beans; a medium brown to dark-brown color; a seed of the coffee tree; ground to make coffee
Collagen - a fibrous scleroprotein in bone and cartilage and tendon and other connective tissue; yields gelatin on boiling
Collateral circulation – Blood flow through small, nearby vessels in response to blockage of a main blood vessel.
Commissurotomy -A procedure used to widen the opening of a heart valve that has been narrowed by scar tissue.
Computed tomography (CT or CAT scan) – An x-ray technique that uses a computer to create cross-sectional images of the body.
Computed tomography - a method of examining body organs by scanning them with X rays and using a computer to construct a series of cross-sectional scans along a single axis
Conduction system – Special muscle fibers that conduct electrical impulses throughout the heart muscle.
Congenital heart defects – Malformation of the heart or of its major blood vessels present at birth.
Congenital – Refers to conditions existing at birth.
Congestive heart failure – A condition in which the heart cannot pump all the blood returning to it, leading to a backup of blood in the vessels and an accumulation of fluid in the body’s tissues, including the lungs.
Conn's syndrome - disturbances in saltwater balance and symptoms of weakness and muscular cramps and twitching and convulsions and sometimes paralysis; usually caused by a benign tumor of the cortex of the adrenal gland that leads to excess secretion of aldosterone
Connective tissue - tissue of mesodermal origin consisting of e.g. collagen fibroblasts and fatty cells; supports organs and fills spaces between them and forms tendons and ligaments
Corgard - a beta-adrenergic blocking agent (trade name Corgard) that is used to treat hypertension and angina
Coronary arteries – Two arteries arising from the aorta that arch down over the top of the heart and divide into branches. They provide blood to the heart muscle.
Coronary artery anomaly (CAA) – A congenital defect in one or more of the coronary arteries of the heart.
Coronary artery bypass (CAB) – Surgical rerouting of blood around a diseased vessel that supplies blood to the heart. Done by grafting either a piece of vein from the leg or a piece of the artery from under the breastbone.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) – A narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. The condition results from a buildup of plaque and greatly increases the risk of a heart attack.
Coronary heart disease Coronary heart disease (CHD) (also known as coronary artery disease or heart disease) is a disease in which a waxy substance called plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle.
Coronary heart disease – Disease of the heart caused by a buildup of atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries that can lead to angina pectoris or heart attack.
Coronary occlusion – An obstruction of one of the coronary arteries that hinders blood flow to the heart muscle.
Coronary thrombosis – Formation of a clot in one of the arteries carrying blood to the heart muscle. Also called coronary occlusion.
Coronary thrombosis - obstruction of blood flow in a coronary artery by a blood clot (thrombus)
Cough - the act of exhaling air suddenly with a noise; sudden expulsion of air from the lungs that clears the air passages; a common symptom of upper respiratory infection or bronchitis or pneumonia or tuberculosis; verb exhale abruptly, as when one has a chest cold or congestion
Coumadin - an anticoagulant (trade name Coumadin) use to prevent and treat a thrombus or embolus
Creatine - an amino acid that does not occur in proteins but is found in the muscle tissue of vertebrates both in the free form and as phosphocreatine; supplies energy for muscle contraction
Cryoablation – The removal of tissue using an instrument called a cold probe.
Cushing's syndrome - a glandular disorder caused by excessive cortisol
Cyanosis – Blueness of the skin caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood.
Cyanotic heart disease – A birth defect of the heart that causes oxygen-poor (blue) blood to circulate to the body without first passing through the lungs.
Cyclooxygenase - either of two related enzymes that control the production of prostaglandins and are blocked by aspirin
Cytomegalovirus - any of a group of herpes viruses that enlarge epithelial cells and can cause birth defects; can affect humans with impaired immunological systems
Dacron - a kind of polyester fabric
Death rate (age-adjusted) – A death rate that has been standardized for age so different populations can be compared or the same population can be compared over time.
Deep vein thrombosis – A blood clot in a deep vein in the calf (DVT).
Defibrillator – A device that helps restore a normal heart rhythm by delivering an electric shock.
Dextrocardia - abnormal condition where the heart is located toward the right side of the chest
Diabetes (diabetes mellitus) – A disease in which the body doesn’t produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is needed to convert sugar and starch into the energy used in daily life.
Diabetes mellitus - diabetes caused by a relative or absolute deficiency of insulin and characterized by polyuria
Diastolic blood pressure – The lowest blood pressure measured in the arteries. It occurs when the heart muscle is relaxed between beats.
Digitalis – A medicine made from the leaves of the foxglove plant. Digitalis is used to treat congestive heart failure (CHF) and heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias).
Digitalis - a powerful cardiac stimulant obtained from foxglove; any of several plants of the genus Digitalis
Digitoxin - digitalis preparation used to treat congestive heart failure or cardiac arrhythmia
Diltiazem - a calcium blocker (trade name Cardizem) used in treating hypertension or angina or heart failure
Dissecting aneurysm – A condition in which the layers of an artery separate or are torn, causing blood to flow between the layers. Dissecting aneurysms usually happen in the aorta, the large vessel that carries blood from the heart to other parts of the body and can cause sudden death.
Diuretic – A drug that lowers blood pressure by causing fluid loss. Diuretics promote urine production.
Dizziness - a reeling sensation; a feeling that you are about to fall
Doppler ultrasound – A technology that uses sound waves to assess blood flow within the heart and blood vessels and to identify leaking valves.
Down syndrome - a congenital disorder caused by having an extra 21st chromosome; results in a flat face and short stature and mental retardation
Dysarthria – A speech disorder resulting from muscular problems caused by damage to the brain or nervous system.
Dyspnea – Shortness of breath.
ELISA - an assay that relies on an enzymatic conversion reaction and is used to detect the presence of specific substances (such as enzymes or viruses or antibodies or bacteria)
Echocardiography – A method of studying the heart’s structure and function by analyzing sound waves bounced off the heart and recorded by an electronic sensor placed on the chest. A computer processes the information to produce a one-, two- or three-dimensional moving picture that shows how the heart and heart valves are functioning.
Edema – Swelling caused by fluid accumulation in body tissues.
Efficacy - capacity or power to produce a desired effect
Ejection fraction – A measurement of the rate at which blood is pumped out of a filled ventricle. The normal rate is 50% or more.
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) – A test in which several electronic sensors are placed on the body to monitor electrical activity associated with the heartbeat.
Electrocardiogram An electrocardiogram, also called an ECG or EKG, is a simple, painless test that detects and records your heart's electrical activity. This test helps to diagnose a heart attack or arrhythmia.
Electroencephalogram (EEG) – A test that can detect and record the brain’s electrical activity. The test is done by pasting metal disks, called electrodes, to the scalp.
Electrophysiological study (EPS) – A test that uses cardiac catheterization to study patients who have arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats). An electrical current stimulates the heart in an effort to provoke an arrhythmia, determine its origin, and test the effectiveness of medicines to treat the arrhythmias.
Embolus – Also called embolism; a blood clot that forms in a blood vessel in one part of the body and travels to another part.
Emotional state - the state of a person's emotions (especially with regard to pleasure or dejection)
Emphysema - an abnormal condition of the lungs marked by decreased respiratory function; associated with smoking or chronic bronchitis or old age
Enalapril - an ACE inhibitor (trade name Vasotec) that blocks the formation of angiotensin in the kidney and so results in vasodilation; administered after heart attacks
Endarterectomy – Surgical removal of plaque deposits or blood clots in an artery.
Endocarditis – A bacterial infection of the heart’s inner lining (endothelium).
Endocardium – The smooth membrane covering the inside of the heart. The innermost lining of the heart.
Endothelium – The smooth inner lining of many body structures, including the heart (endocardium) and blood vessels.
Enlarged heart – A state in which the heart is larger than normal because of heredity, long-term heavy exercise, or diseases and disorders such as obesity, high blood pressure, and coronary artery disease.
Enzyme – A complex chemical capable of speeding up specific biochemical processes in the body.
Ephedra sinica - Chinese ephedra yielding ephedrine
Epicardium – The thin membrane covering the outside surface of the heart muscle.
Epilepsy - a disorder of the central nervous system characterized by loss of consciousness and convulsions
Epinephrine - a catecholamine secreted by the adrenal medulla in response to stress (trade name Adrenalin); stimulates autonomic nerve action
Estrogen (or hormone) replacement therapy (ERT or HRT) – Hormones that some women may take to offset the effects of menopause.
Estrogen – A female hormone produced by the ovaries that may protect premenopausal women against heart disease. Estrogen production stops after menopause.
Estrogen - a general term for female steroid sex hormones that are secreted by the ovary and responsible for typical female sexual characteristics
Eyes - opinion or judgment
Factor VIII - a coagulation factor (trade name Hemofil) whose absence is associated with hemophilia A
Factor V - a coagulation factor
Familial hypercholesterolemia – A genetic predisposition to dangerously high cholesterol levels.
Fatty acids (fats) – Substances that occur in several forms in foods; different fatty acids have different effects on lipid profiles.
Fetal alcohol syndrome - a medical condition in which body deformation or facial development or mental ability of a fetus is impaired because the mother drank alcohol while pregnant
Fever - intense nervous anticipation; a rise in the temperature of the body; frequently a symptom of infection
Fibrillation – Rapid, uncoordinated contractions of individual heart muscle fibers. The heart chamber involved can’t contract all at once and pumps blood ineffectively, if at all.
Fibrinolysis - a normal ongoing process that dissolves fibrin and results in the removal of small blood clots
Fibrosis - development of excess fibrous connective tissue in an organ
Fibrous tissue - tissue consisting of or containing fibers in both animals and plants
First-degree heart block – Occurs when an electrical impulse from the heart’s upper chambers (the atria) is slowed as it moves through the atria and atrioventricular (AV) node.
Flutter – The rapid, ineffective contractions of any heart chamber. A flutter is considered to be more coordinated than fibrillation.
Fluvastatin - least expensive statin drug (trade name Lescol); usually taken orally at bedtime
Folate - a B vitamin that is essential for cell growth and reproduction
Folic acid - a B vitamin that is essential for cell growth and reproduction
Food - any substance that can be metabolized by an organism to give energy and build tissue; anything that provides mental stimulus for thinking; any solid substance (as opposed to liquid) that is used as a source of nourishment
Free radical - an atom or group of atoms with at least one unpaired electron; in the body it is usually an oxygen molecule than has lost an electron and will stabilize itself by stealing an electron from a nearby molecule
Furosemide - commonly used diuretic (trade name Lasix) used to treat hypertension and edema
Fusiform aneurysm – A tube-shaped aneurysm that causes the artery to bulge outward. Involves the entire circumference (outside wall) of the artery.
GLOSSARY - an alphabetical list of technical terms in some specialized field of knowledge; usually published as an appendix to a text on that field
GUSTO - vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
Gemfibrozil - medication (trade name Lopid) used to lower the levels of triglyceride in the blood
Genetic testing – Blood tests that study a person’s genes to find out if he or she is at risk for certain diseases that are passed down through family members.
Glyceryl trinitrate - a heavy yellow poisonous oily explosive liquid obtained by nitrating glycerol; used in making explosives and medically as a vasodilator (trade names Nitrospan and Nitrostat)
Heart assist device – A mechanical device that is surgically implanted to ease the workload of the heart.
Heart attack A heart attack (also known as myocardial infarction) happens when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of heart muscle suddenly becomes blocked and the heart muscle can't get enough oxygen. If blood flow isn't restored quickly, the section of heart muscle begins to die.
Heart attack – Death of, or damage to, part of the heart muscle caused by a lack of oxygen-rich blood flowing to the heart.
Heart block – General term for conditions in which the electrical impulse that activates the heart muscle cells is delayed or interrupted somewhere along its path.
Heart block - recurrent sudden attacks of unconsciousness caused by impaired conduction of the impulse that regulates the heartbeat
Heart failure – See congestive heart failure.
Heart failure Heart failure (also known as congestive heart failure) is a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. In some cases, the heart can't fill with enough blood. In other cases, the heart can't pump blood to the rest of the body with enough force. Some people have both problems.
Heart muscle - the muscle tissue of the heart; adapted to continued rhythmic contraction
Heart rate - the rate at which the heart beats; usually measured to obtain a quick evaluation of a person's health
Heart-lung machine – An apparatus that oxygenates and pumps blood to the body during open heart surgery; see cardiopulmonary bypass.
Heimlich Maneuver - an emergency procedure to help someone who is choking because food is lodged in the trachea
Hematocrit – A measure of the percentage of red blood cells in a given amount (or volume) of whole blood.
Hemochromatosis – A disease in which too much iron builds up in your body (iron overload). Too much iron in the heart can cause irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) and heart failure. Too much iron in the pancreas can lead to diabetes.
Heredity – The genetic transmission of a particular quality or trait from parent to child.
Hiatus hernia - hernia resulting from the protrusion of part of the stomach through the diaphragm
High blood pressure High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is a common disease in which blood flows through blood vessels (arteries) at higher-than-normal pressures.
High blood pressure – A chronic increase in blood pressure above its normal range.
High density lipoprotein (HDL) – A component of cholesterol, HDL helps protect against heart disease by promoting cholesterol breakdown and removal from the blood; hence, its nickname “good cholesterol.”
Hippocrates - medical practitioner who is regarded as the father of medicine; author of the Hippocratic oath (circa 460-377 BC)
Holter monitor – A portable device for recording heartbeats over a period of 24 hours or more.
Hormones – Chemicals released into the bloodstream that control different functions in the body, including metabolism, growth, sexual development, and responses to stress or illness.
Horse chestnut - tree having palmate leaves and large clusters of white to red flowers followed by brown shiny inedible seeds; the inedible nutlike seed of the horse chestnut
Hydralazine - an antihypertensive drug (trade name Apresoline) that dilates blood vessels; used (often with a diuretic) to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure
Hydrochlorothiazide - a diuretic drug (trade name Esidrix and HydroDIURIL) used in the treatment of hypertension
Hyperaldosteronism - a condition caused by overproduction of aldosterone
Hypertension – High blood pressure.
Hyperthyroidism - an overactive thyroid gland; pathologically excessive production of thyroid hormones or the condition resulting from excessive production of thyroid hormones
Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) – An overgrown heart muscle that creates a bulge into the ventricle and impedes blood flow.
Hypertrophy – Enlargement of tissues or organs because of increased workload.
Hyperventilation – Rapid breathing usually caused by anxiety. People feel like they can’t get enough air, so they breathe heavily and rapidly, which can lead to numb or tingly arms and legs, or fainting.
Hypoglycemia – Low levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
Hypokinesia – Decreased muscle movement. In relation to the heart, hypokinesia refers to decreased heart wall motion during each heartbeat. It is associated with cardiomyopathy, heart failure, or heart attack. Also called hypokinesis.
Hypotension – Abnormally low blood pressure.
Hypoxia – Less than normal content of oxygen in the organs and tissues of the body.
ISIS - Egyptian goddess of fertility; daughter of Geb; sister and wife of Osiris
Iatrogenic - induced by a physician's words or therapy (used especially of a complication resulting from treatment)
Idiopathic – No known cause.
Immobilization - the act of limiting movement or making incapable of movement; fixation (as by a plaster cast) of a body part in order to promote proper healing
Immunosuppressants – Any medicine that suppresses the body’s immune system. These medicines are used to minimize the chances that the body will reject a newly transplanted organ, such as a heart.
Impedance plethysmography – A noninvasive diagnostic test used to evaluate blood flow through the leg.
Impotence - an inability (usually of the male animal) to copulate; the quality of lacking strength or power; being weak and feeble
Incompetent valve – Also called insufficiency; a valve that is not working properly, causing it to leak blood back in the wrong direction.
Inderal - the first beta blocker (trade name Inderal) used in treating hypertension and angina pectoris and essential tremor
Indigestion - a disorder of digestive function characterized by discomfort or heartburn or nausea
Infarct – The area of heart tissue permanently damaged by an inadequate supply of oxygen.
Infective endocarditis – An infection of the heart valves and the innermost lining of the heart (the endocardium), caused by bacteria in the bloodstream.
Inferior vena cava – The large vein returning blood from the legs and abdomen to the heart.
Injury - an act that injures someone; an accident that results in physical damage or hurt; any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.; a casualty to military personnel resulting from combat
Inotropes – Positive inotropes: Any medicine that increases the strength of the heart’s contraction. Negative inotropes: Any medicine that decreases the strength of the heart’s contraction and the blood pressure in the vessels.
Insulin - hormone secreted by the isles of Langerhans in the pancreas; regulates storage of glycogen in the liver and accelerates oxidation of sugar in cells
Internal mammary artery – A durable artery in the chest wall often used as a bypass graft in coronary artery bypass surgery.
Intravascular echocardiography – A combination of echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. A miniature echo device on the tip of a catheter is used to generate images inside the heart and blood vessels.
Introducer sheath – A catheter-like tube that is placed inside a patient’s vessel during an interventional procedure to help the doctor with insertion and proper placement of the actual catheter.
Ischemia – Decreased blood flow to an organ, usually due to constriction or obstruction of an artery.
Ischemic heart disease – Also called coronary artery disease and coronary heart disease, this term is applied to heart problems caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries, thereby causing a decreased blood supply to the heart.
Ischemic stroke – A type of stroke that is caused by blockage in a blood vessel.
Ischemic stroke - the most common kind of stroke; caused by an interruption in the flow of blood to the brain (as from a clot blocking a blood vessel)
Isometric exercise - muscle-building exercises (or a system of musclebuilding exercises) involving muscular contractions against resistance without movement (the muscles contracts but the length of the muscle does not change)
Isoptin - a drug (trade names Calan and Isoptin) used as an oral or parenteral calcium blocker in cases of hypertension or congestive heart failure or angina or migraine
Isordil - drug (trade name Isordil) used to treat angina pectoris and congestive heart failure
Jogging - running at a jog trot as a form of cardiopulmonary exercise
Jugular veins – The veins that carry blood back from the head to the heart.
Kidney disease - a disease affecting the kidneys
Lanoxin - digitalis preparation (trade name Lanoxin) used to treat congestive heart failure or cardiac arrhythmia; helps the heart beat more forcefully
Lasix - commonly used diuretic (trade name Lasix) used to treat hypertension and edema
Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) – A mechanical device that can be placed outside the body or implanted inside the body. An LVAD does not replace the heart—it “assists” or “helps” it pump oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body.
Lesion – An injury or wound. An atherosclerotic lesion is an injury to an artery due to hardening of the arteries.
Levitra - virility drug (trade name Levitra) used to treat erectile dysfunction in men
Lifestyle - a manner of living that reflects the person's values and attitudes
Lipid – A fatty substance that is insoluble (cannot be dissolved) in the blood.
Lipoprotein – A lipid surrounded by a protein; the protein makes the lipid soluble (can be dissolved) in the blood.
Lisinopril - an ACE inhibiting drug (trade names Prinival or Zestril) administered as an antihypertensive and after heart attacks
Liver disease - a disease affecting the liver
Lopressor - beta blocker (trade name Lopressor) used in treating hypertension and angina and arrhythmia and acute myocardial infarction; has adverse side effects (depression and exacerbation of congestive heart failure etc.)
Lovastatin - an oral drug (trade name Mevacor) to reduce blood cholesterol levels; used when dietary changes have proved inadequate
Low density lipoprotein (LDL) – The body’s primary cholesterol-carrying molecule. High blood levels of LDL increase a person’s risk of heart disease by promoting cholesterol attachment and accumulation in blood vessels; hence, the popular nickname “bad cholesterol.”
Lumen – The hollow area within a tube, such as a blood vessel.
Lupus - a constellation in the southern hemisphere near Centaurus; any of several forms of ulcerative skin disease
Magnesium sulfate - a salt of magnesium
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – A technique that produces images of the heart and other body structures by measuring the response of certain elements (such as hydrogen) in the body to a magnetic field. MRI can produce detailed pictures of the heart and its various structures without the need to inject a dye.
Magnetic resonance imaging - the use of nuclear magnetic resonance of protons to produce proton density images
Malignant tumor - a tumor that is malignant and tends to spread to other parts of the body
Maze surgery – A type of heart surgery that is used to treat chronic atrial fibrillation by creating a surgical “maze” of new electrical pathways to let electrical impulses travel easily through the heart. Also called the Maze procedure.
Menopause - the time in a woman's life in which the menstrual cycle ends
Methyldopa - antihypertensive drug (trade name Aldomet) used in the treatment of high blood pressure
Metoprolol - beta blocker (trade name Lopressor) used in treating hypertension and angina and arrhythmia and acute myocardial infarction; has adverse side effects (depression and exacerbation of congestive heart failure etc.)
Mitral stenosis – A narrowing of the mitral valve, which controls blood flow from the heart’s upper left chamber to its lower left chamber. May result from an inherited (congenital) problem or from rheumatic fever.
Mitral valve prolapse – A condition that occurs when the leaflets of the mitral valve between the left atrium and left ventricle bulge into the atrium and permit backflow of blood. The condition can be associated with progressive mitral regurgitation.
Mitral valve regurgitation – Failure of the mitral valve to close properly, causing blood to flow back into the heart’s upper left chamber (the left atrium) instead of moving forward into the lower left chamber (the left ventricle).
Mitral valve – The structure that controls blood flow between the heart’s left atrium (upper chamber) and left ventricle (lower chamber).
Monounsaturated fats – A type of fat found in many foods but mainly in avocados and in canola, olive, and peanut oils. Monounsaturated fat tends to lower LDL cholesterol levels, and some studies suggest that it may do so without also lowering HDL cholesterol levels.
Morbidity - an abnormally gloomy or unhealthy state of mind; the relative incidence of a particular disease; the quality of being unhealthful and generally bad for you
Morphine - an alkaloid narcotic drug extracted from opium; a powerful, habit-forming narcotic used to relieve pain
Mortality – The total number of deaths from a given disease in a population during an interval of time, usually a year.
Mortality - the quality or state of being mortal; the ratio of deaths in an area to the population of that area; expressed per 1000 per year
Murmur – Noises superimposed on normal heart sounds. They are caused by congenital defects or damaged heart valves that do not close properly and allow blood to leak back into the chamber from which it has come.
Myocardial infarction – A heart attack. The damage or death of an area of the heart muscle (myocardium) resulting from a blocked blood supply to the area. The affected tissue dies, injuring the heart. Symptoms include prolonged, intensive chest pain and a decrease in blood pressure that often causes shock.
Myocardial ischemia – Occurs when a part of the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen.
Myocarditis – A rare condition in which the heart muscle becomes inflamed as a result of infection, toxic drug poisoning, or diseases like rheumatic fever, diphtheria, or tuberculosis.
Myocardium – The muscular wall of the heart. It contracts to pump blood out of the heart and then relaxes as the heart refills with returning blood.
Myosin - the commonest protein in muscle; a globulin that combines with actin to form actomyosin
Myxedema - hypothyroidism marked by dry skin and swellings around lips and nose as well as mental deterioration
Myxomatous degeneration – A connective tissue disorder that causes the heart valve tissue to weaken and lose elasticity.
NREM - a recurring sleep state during which rapid eye movements do not occur and dreaming does not occur; accounts for about 75% of normal sleep time
NSTEMI – Non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. The milder form of the 2 types of heart attack, an NSTEMI does not produce an ST-segment elevation on an electrocardiogram. See also STEMI.
Nadolol - a beta-adrenergic blocking agent (trade name Corgard) that is used to treat hypertension and angina
Nausea - disgust so strong it makes you feel sick; the state that precedes vomiting
Necrosis – Refers to the death of tissue within a certain area.
Nervous system - the sensory and control apparatus consisting of a network of nerve cells
Neurologic - of or relating to or used in or practicing neurology
Niacin - a B vitamin essential for the normal function of the nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract
Nicotinic acid - a B vitamin essential for the normal function of the nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract
Nitric oxide - a poisonous red-brown gas (NO)
Nitroglycerin – A medicine that helps relax and dilate arteries; often used to treat cardiac chest pain (angina).
Noninvasive procedures – Any diagnostic or treatment procedure in which no instrument enters the body.
Nonrapid eye movement - a recurring sleep state during which rapid eye movements do not occur and dreaming does not occur; accounts for about 75% of normal sleep time
Noradrenaline - a catecholamine precursor of epinephrine that is secreted by the adrenal medulla and also released at synapses
Norepinephrine - a catecholamine precursor of epinephrine that is secreted by the adrenal medulla and also released at synapses
Norvasc - a vasodilator (trade name Norvasc) taken in tablet form; prescribed for hypertension and angina pectoris
Numbness - partial or total lack of sensation in a part of the body; a symptom of nerve damage or dysfunction; the trait of lacking enthusiasm for or interest in things generally
Obesity – The condition of being significantly overweight. It usually applies when a person is 30% or more over ideal body weight. Obesity puts a strain on the heart and can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure and diabetes.
Occluded artery – An artery in which the blood flow has been impaired by a blockage.
Open heart surgery – An operation in which the chest and heart are opened surgically while the bloodstream is diverted through a heart-lung (cardiopulmonary bypass) machine.
Orthostatic hypotension - low blood pressure occurring in some people when they stand up
Pacemaker – A surgically implanted electronic device that helps regulate the heartbeat.
Paget's disease - a disease of bone occurring in the middle aged and elderly; excessive bone destruction sometimes leading to bone pain and fractures and skeletal deformities
Palpitation – An uncomfortable feeling within the chest caused by an irregular heartbeat.
Panax ginseng - Chinese herb with palmately compound leaves and small greenish flowers and forked aromatic roots believed to have medicinal powers
Pancreas – The organ behind the stomach that helps control blood sugar levels.
Pancreatitis – Swelling (inflammation) of the pancreas.
Paralysis -Loss of the ability to move muscles and feel in part of the body or the whole body. Paralysis may be temporary or permanent.
Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) – An occasional rapid heart rate (150-250 beats per minute) that is caused by events triggered in areas above the heart’s lower chambers (the ventricles). See also supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).
Patent ductus arteriosus – A congenital defect in which the opening between the aorta and the pulmonary artery does not close after birth.
Patent foramen ovale – An opening between the left and right atria (the upper chambers) of the heart. Everyone has a PFO before birth, but in 1 out of every 3 or 4 people, the opening does not close naturally, as it should, after birth.
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) – Any of the noninvasive procedures usually performed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Angioplasty is an example of a percutaneous coronary intervention. Also called a transcatheter intervention.
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) – See angioplasty.
Pericardiocentesis – A diagnostic procedure that uses a needle to withdraw fluid from the sac or membrane surrounding the heart (pericardium).
Pericarditis – Inflammation of the outer membrane surrounding the heart. When pericarditis occurs, the amount of fluid between the two layers of the pericardium increases. This increased fluid presses on the heart and restricts its pumping action.
Pericardium – The outer fibrous sac that surrounds the heart.
Pindolol - an oral beta blocker (trade name Visken) used in treating hypertension
Plaque – A deposit of fatty (and other) substances in the inner lining of the artery wall characteristic of atherosclerosis.
Platelets – One of the three types of cells found in blood; they aid in the clotting of blood.
Polyunsaturated fat – The major fat in most vegetable oils, including corn, safflower, sunflower, and soybean oils. These oils are liquid at room temperature. Polyunsaturated fat actually tends to lower LDL cholesterol levels but may reduce HDL cholesterol levels as well.
Positron emission tomography (PET) – A test that uses information about the energy of certain elements in your body to show whether parts of the heart muscle are alive and working. A PET scan can also show if your heart is getting enough blood to keep the muscle healthy.
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) – A disorder that causes an increased heart rate when a person stands upright.
Prague - the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic in the western part of the country; a cultural and commercial center since the 14th century
Pravastatin - an oral drug (trade name Pravachol) administered to reduce blood cholesterol levels; recommended after nonfatal heart attacks
Prazosin - antihypertensive drug (trade name Minipress)
Prednisone - a dehydrogenated analogue of cortisol (trade names Orasone or Deltasone or Liquid Pred or Meticorten); used as an anti-inflammatory drug in the treatment of arthritis and as an immunosuppressant
Premature ventricular contraction (PVC) – An early or extra heartbeat that happens when the heart’s lower chambers (the ventricles) contract too soon, out of sequence with the normal heartbeat.
Prevalence – The total number of cases of a given disease that exist in a population at a specific time.
Procardia - calcium blocker (trade name Procardia); appears to increase the risk of recurrent heart attacks
Psychotherapy - the treatment of mental or emotional problems by psychological means; the branch of psychiatry concerned with psychological methods
Pulmonary embolism – A condition in which a blood clot that has formed elsewhere in the body travels to the lungs.
Pulmonary valve – The heart valve between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery that controls blood flow from the heart into the lungs.
Pulmonary vein – The blood vessel that carries newly oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the left atrium of the heart.
Pulmonary – Refers to the lungs and respiratory system.
Pulmonary - relating to or affecting the lungs
Purkinje - Bohemian physiologist remembered for his discovery of Purkinje cells and the Purkinje network (1787-1869)
RAVE - an extravagantly enthusiastic review; a dance party that lasts all night and electronically synthesized music is played; verb praise enthusiastically; participate in an all-night techno dance party; talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
Radial artery access – Using the radial artery in the wrist as the entry point for the catheter in an angioplasty or stent procedure. Also called transradial access, the transradial approach, or transradial angioplasty.
Radionuclide imaging – A test in which a harmless radioactive substance is injected into the bloodstream to show information about blood flow through the arteries. Damaged or dead heart muscle can often be identified, as can serious narrowing in an artery.
Radionuclide studies – Any of the diagnostic tests in which a small amount of radioactive material is injected into the bloodstream. The material makes it possible for a special camera to take pictures of the heart.
Radionuclide ventriculography – A diagnostic test used to determine the size and shape of the heart’s pumping chambers (the ventricles).
Red wine - wine having a red color derived from skins of dark-colored grapes
Regurgitation – Backward flow of blood through a defective heart valve.
Renal – Pertains to the kidneys.
Responsiveness - the quality of being responsive; reacting quickly; as a quality of people, it involves responding with emotion to people and events; responsive to stimulation
Restenosis – The re-closing or re-narrowing of an artery after an interventional procedure such as angioplasty or stent placement.
Restlessness - inability to rest or relax or be still; the quality of being ceaselessly moving or active; a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay; a feeling of agitation expressed in continual motion
Revascularization – A procedure to restore blood flow to the tissues. Coronary artery bypass surgery is an example of a revascularization procedure.
Rheumatic fever - a severe disease chiefly of children and characterized by painful inflammation of the joints and frequently damage to the heart valves
Rheumatic heart disease – A disease of the heart (mainly affecting the heart valves) caused by rheumatic fever.
Right ventricular assist device (RVAD) – A mechanical device that can be placed outside the body or implanted inside the body. An RVAD does not replace the heart—it “assists” or “helps” it pump oxygen-poor blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.
Risk factor – An element or condition involving a certain hazard or danger. When referring to heart and blood vessels, a risk factor is associated with an increased chance of developing cardiovascular disease, including stroke.
Rubella – Commonly known as German measles.
SA node - a specialized bit of heart tissue that controls the heartbeat
STEMI – ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. The more severe form of the 2 types of heart attack. See also NSTEMI. A STEMI produces a characteristic elevation in the ST segment on an electrocardiogram.
Saccular aneurysm – A round aneurysm that bulges out from an artery; involves only part of the circumference (outside wall) of the artery.
Saphenous vein - either of two chief superficial veins of the leg that drain blood from the foot
Sarcoidosis - a chronic disease of unknown cause marked by the formation of nodules in the lungs and liver and lymph glands and salivary glands
Saturated fat – Type of fat found in foods of animal origin and a few of vegetable origin; they are usually solid at room temperature. Abundant in meat and dairy products, saturated fat tends to increase LDL cholesterol levels, and it may raise the risk of certain types of cancer.
Second-degree heart block – Impulses traveling through the heart’s upper chambers (the atria) are delayed in the area between the upper and lower chambers (the AV node) and fail to make the ventricles beat at the right moment.
Sectral - an oral beta blocker (trade name Sectral) used in treating hypertension
Seizure - the taking possession of something by legal process; a sudden occurrence (or recurrence) of a disease; the act of forcibly dispossessing an owner of property; the act of taking of a person by force
Septal defect – A hole in the wall of the heart separating the atria or in the wall of the heart separating the ventricles.
Septum – The muscular wall dividing a chamber on the left side of the heart from the chamber on the right.
Sexual activity - activities associated with sexual intercourse
Sheath – A catheter-like tube that is placed inside a patient’s vessel during an interventional procedure to help the doctor with insertion and proper placement of the actual catheter. Also called an introducer sheath.
Shock – A condition in which body function is impaired because the volume of fluid circulating through the body is insufficient to maintain normal metabolism. This may be caused by blood loss or by a disturbance in the function of the circulatory system.
Shortness of breath - a dyspneic condition
Shunt – A connector that allows blood to flow between two locations.
Sick sinus syndrome – The failure of the sinus node to regulate the heart’s rhythm.
Sildenafil - virility drug (trade name Viagra) used to treat erectile dysfunction in men
Silent ischemia – Episodes of cardiac ischemia that are not accompanied by chest pain.
Simvastatin - an oral lipid-lowering medicine (trade name Zocor) administered to reduce blood cholesterol levels; recommended after heart attacks
Sinoatrial node - a specialized bit of heart tissue that controls the heartbeat
Sinus (SA) node – The “natural” pacemaker of the heart. The node is a group of specialized cells in the top of the right atrium which produces the electrical impulses that travel down to eventually reach the ventricular muscle, causing the heart to contract.
Skeleton - the internal supporting structure that gives an artifact its shape; a scandal that is kept secret; something reduced to its minimal form; the hard structure (bones and cartilages) that provides a frame for the body of an animal
Sodium bicarbonate - a white soluble compound (NaHCO3) used in effervescent drinks and in baking powders and as an antacid
Sodium – A mineral essential to life found in nearly all plant and animal tissue. Table salt (sodium chloride) is nearly half sodium.
Sphygmomanometer – An instrument used to measure blood pressure.
Spironolactone - a synthetic corticosteroid (trade name Aldactone) used to treat hypertension
Stem cells – Special cells in the body that are able to transform into other cells. It is possible for stem cells to transform into heart cells, nerve cells, or other cells of the body, possibly helping to improve the function of failing organs, including the heart.
Stenosis – The narrowing or constriction of an opening, such as a blood vessel or heart valve.
Stent – A device made of expandable, metal mesh that is placed (by using a balloon catheter) at the site of a narrowing artery. The stent is then expanded and left in place to keep the artery open.
Sternum - noun the flat bone that articulates with the clavicles and the first seven pairs of ribs
Stethoscope – An instrument for listening to sounds within the body.
Streptococcal infection (“strep” infection) – An infection, usually in the throat, resulting from the presence of streptococcus bacteria.
Streptokinase - noun an enzyme produced by some strains of streptococcus that can liquefy blood clots by converting plasminogen to plasmin; used medicinally in some cases of myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism
Streptokinase - an enzyme produced by some strains of streptococcus that can liquefy blood clots by converting plasminogen to plasmin; used medicinally in some cases of myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism
Stroke A stroke occurs if the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a portion of the brain is blocked. Without oxygen, brain cells start to die after a few minutes. Sudden bleeding in the brain also can cause a stroke if it damages brain cells.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage – Bleeding from a blood vessel on the surface of the brain into the space between the brain and the skull.
Subclavian arteries – Two major arteries (right and left) that receive blood from the aortic arch and supply it to the arms.
Sudden death – Death that occurs unexpectedly and instantaneously or shortly after the onset of symptoms. The most common underlying reason for patients dying suddenly is cardiovascular disease, in particular coronary heart disease.
Superior vena cava – The large vein that returns blood from the head and arms to the heart.
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) – A regular rapid heart rate (150-250 beats per minute) that is caused by events triggered in areas above the heart’s lower chambers (the ventricles); see also paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT).
Syncope – A temporary, insufficient blood supply to the brain which causes a loss of consciousness. Usually caused by a serious arrhythmia.
Syphilis - a common venereal disease caused by the treponema pallidum spirochete; symptoms change through progressive stages; can be congenital (transmitted through the placenta)
Systolic blood pressure – The highest blood pressure measured in the arteries. It occurs when the heart contracts with each heartbeat.
TIA - noun brief episode in which the brain gets insufficient blood supply; symptoms depend on the site of the blockage
Tachycardia – Accelerated beating of the heart. Paroxysmal tachycardia is a particular form of rapid heart action, occurring in seizures that may last from a few seconds to several days.
Tachypnea – Rapid breathing.
Tadalafil - virility drug (trade name Cialis) used to treat erectile dysfunction in men
Tamponade – Also called cardiac tamponade. A condition in which the heart is compressed or constricted because of a large amount of fluid or blood in the space between the heart muscle and the sac that surrounds the heart (the pericardium).
Tanacetum parthenium - bushy aromatic European perennial herb having clusters of buttonlike white-rayed flower heads; valued traditionally for medicinal uses; sometimes placed in genus Chrysanthemum
Tenormin - an oral beta blocker (trade name Tenormin) used in treating hypertension and angina; has adverse side effects (depression and exacerbation of congestive heart failure etc.)
Terazosin - antihypertensive drug (trade name Hytrin) used to treat high blood pressure
Tetralogy of Fallot - a congenital heart defect producing cyanosis; characterized by four symptoms: pulmonary stenosis and ventricular septal defect and malposition of the aorta over both ventricles and hypertrophy of the right ventricle
Thallium-201 stress test – An x-ray study that follows the path of radioactive potassium carried by the blood into heart muscle. Damaged or dead muscle can be defined, as can the extent of narrowing in an artery.
Third-degree heart block – A serious condition also called Stokes-Adams disease; impulses from the heart’s upper chambers (the atria) are completely blocked from reaching the heart’s lower chambers (the ventricles). To make up for this, the ventricles use their own “backup” pacemaker with its slower rate.
Thrombolysis - noun the process of breaking up and dissolving blood clots
Thrombolytic therapy - noun therapy consisting of the administration of a pharmacological agent to cause thrombolysis of an abnormal blood clot
Thrombolytic therapy - therapy consisting of the administration of a pharmacological agent to cause thrombolysis of an abnormal blood clot
Thrombosis - noun the formation or presence of a thrombus (a clot of coagulated blood attached at the site of its formation) in a blood vessel
Thrombus - noun a blood clot formed within a blood vessel and remaining attached to its place of origin
Thyroid - adj. suggestive of a thyroid disorder of or relating to the thyroid gland noun located near the base of the neck
Timolol - a beta blocker (trade name Blocadren) administered after heart attacks
Tingling - exciting by touching lightly so as to cause laughter or twitching movements; causing or experiencing a painful shivering feeling as from many tiny pricks; a somatic sensation as from many tiny prickles
Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) – A clot-dissolving medicine that is used to treat heart attack and stroke patients.
Tissue plasminogen activator - noun a thrombolytic agent (trade name Activase) that causes fibrinolysis at the site of a blood clot; used in treating acute myocardial infarction
Trans fat – Created when hydrogen is forced through an ordinary vegetable oil (hydrogenation), converting some polyunsaturates to monounsaturates, and some monounsaturates to saturates. Trans fat, like saturated fat, tends to raise LDL cholesterol levels, and, unlike saturated fat, trans fat also lowers HDL cholesterol levels.
Transcatheter intervention – Any of the noninvasive procedures usually performed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Angioplasty is an example of a transcatheter intervention. Also called a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Transient ischemic attack - noun brief episode in which the brain gets insufficient blood supply; symptoms depend on the site of the blockage
Transient ischemic attack - brief episode in which the brain gets insufficient blood supply; symptoms depend on the site of the blockage
Transplantation - noun the act of removing something from one location and introducing it in another location an operation moving an organ from one organism (the donor) to another (the recipient)
Tricuspid valve - noun valve with three cusps; situated between the right atrium and the right ventricle; allows blood to pass from atrium to ventricle and closes to prevent backflow when the ventricle contracts
Triglyceride - noun glyceride occurring naturally in animal and vegetable tissues; it consists of three individual fatty acids bound together in a single large molecule; an important energy source forming much of the fat stored by the body
Ubiquinone - any of several quinones found in living cells and that function as coenzymes that transfer electrons from one molecule to another in cell respiration
Ultrasonography - using the reflections of high-frequency sound waves to construct an image of a body organ (a sonogram); commonly used to observe fetal growth or study bodily organs
Ultrasound - noun very high frequency sound; used in ultrasonography using the reflections of high-frequency sound waves to construct an image of a body organ (a sonogram); commonly used to observe fetal growth or study bodily organs
VLDL - large lipoproteins rich in triglycerides; VLDLs circulate through the blood giving up their triglycerides to fat and muscle tissue until the VLDL remnants are modified and converted into LDL
Vagus nerve - a mixed nerve that supplies the pharynx and larynx and lungs and heart and esophagus and stomach and most of the abdominal viscera
Valve replacement – An operation to replace a heart valve that is either blocking normal blood flow or causing blood to leak backward into the heart (regurgitation).
Valvotomy - incision into a stenosed cardiac valve to relieve the obstruction
Valvuloplasty – Reshaping of a heart valve with surgical or catheter techniques.
Vardenafil - virility drug (trade name Levitra) used to treat erectile dysfunction in men
Varicose vein - noun a vein that is permanently dilated; most common in the legs
Vascular system - the vessels and tissue that carry or circulate fluids such as blood or lymph or sap through the body of an animal or plant
Vascular - adj. of or relating to or having vessels that conduct and circulate fluids
Vasodilation - dilation of blood vessels (especially the arteries)
Vasodilators – Any medicine that dilates (widens) the arteries.
Vasopressin - hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary gland (trade name Pitressin) and also by nerve endings in the hypothalamus; affects blood pressure by stimulating capillary muscles and reduces urine flow by affecting reabsorption of water by kidney tubules
Vasopressors – Any medicine that elevates blood pressure.
Vasotec - an ACE inhibitor (trade name Vasotec) that blocks the formation of angiotensin in the kidney and so results in vasodilation; administered after heart attacks
Venography - roentgenographic examination of veins
Ventricle - noun a chamber of the heart that receives blood from an atrium and pumps it to the arteries one of four connected cavities in the brain; is continuous with the central canal of the spinal cord and contains cerebrospinal fluid
Ventricular fibrillation - noun fibrillation of heart muscles resulting in interference with rhythmic contractions of the ventricles and possibly leading to cardiac arrest
Verapamil - a drug (trade names Calan and Isoptin) used as an oral or parenteral calcium blocker in cases of hypertension or congestive heart failure or angina or migraine
Veratrum - a genus of coarse poisonous perennial herbs; sometimes placed in subfamily Melanthiaceae
Vertigo - noun a reeling sensation; a feeling that you are about to fall
Vomiting - the reflex act of ejecting the contents of the stomach through the mouth
Warfarin - an anticoagulant (trade name Coumadin) use to prevent and treat a thrombus or embolus
White wine - pale yellowish wine made from white grapes or red grapes with skins removed before fermentation
Wine - a red as dark as red wine; fermented juice (of grapes especially); verb treat to wine; drink wine
Wolff-Parkinson-White-syndrome A condition in which an extra electrical pathway connects the atria (two upper chambers) and the ventricles (two lower chambers). It may cause a rapid heartbeat.
X-ray - noun a radiogram made by exposing photographic film to X rays; used in medical diagnosis electromagnetic radiation of short wavelength produced when high-speed electrons strike a solid target verb take an x-ray of something or somebody examine by taking x-rays.
X-ray - a radiogram made by exposing photographic film to X rays; used in medical diagnosis; electromagnetic radiation of short wavelength produced when high-speed electrons strike a solid target; verb take an x-ray of something or somebody; examine by taking x-rays
York - the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
Zestril - an ACE inhibiting drug (trade names Prinival or Zestril) administered as an antihypertensive and after heart attacks
Zingiber officinale - tropical Asian plant widely cultivated for its pungent root; source of gingerroot and powdered ginger
abdomen - the region of the body of a vertebrate between the thorax and the pelvis; the cavity containing the major viscera; in mammals it is separated from the thorax by the diaphragm
abdominal - of or relating to or near the abdomen; the muscles of the abdomen
ability - the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment; possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done
ablation - surgical removal of a body part or tissue; the erosive process that reduces the size of glaciers
abnormal - much greater than the normal; not normal; not typical or usual or regular or conforming to a norm; departing from the normal in e.g. intelligence and development
above - appearing earlier in the same text; at an earlier place; in or to a place that is higher; an earlier section of a written text
accident - anything that happens by chance without an apparent cause; a mishap; especially one causing injury or death
accompanied - having accompaniment or companions or escort
accumulation - the act of accumulating; (finance) profits that are not paid out as dividends but are added to the capital base of the corporation; several things grouped together or considered as a whole; an increase by natural growth or addition
achieve - verb to gain with effort
across - transversely; to the opposite side
acting - serving temporarily especially as a substitute; the performance of a part or role in a drama
activated - set up and placed on active assignment; rendered active; e.g. rendered radioactive or luminescent or photosensitive or conductive; (of e.g. a molecule) made reactive or more reactive; (of sewage) treated with aeration and bacteria to aid decomposition
acute - having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course; of critical importance and consequence; extremely sharp or intense; having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions; of an angle; less than 90 degrees; ending in a sharp point; a mark (') placed above a vowel to indicate pronunciation
adiposity - having the property of containing fat
adjacent - near or close to but not necessarily touching; nearest in space or position; immediately adjoining without intervening space; having a common boundary or edge; touching
adrenal - of or pertaining to the adrenal glands or their secretions; near the kidneys; either of a pair of complex endocrine glands situated near the kidney
adrenergic - relating to epinephrine (its release or action); drug that has the effects of epinephrine
adventitia - an enveloping or covering membrane or layer of body tissue
advice - a proposal for an appropriate course of action
aerobic - depending on free oxygen or air; based on or using the principles of aerobics; enhancing respiratory and circulatory efficiency
after - located farther aft; behind or in the rear; happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
aggregation - the act of gathering something together; several things grouped together or considered as a whole
airflow - the flow of air
albuminuria - the presence of excessive protein (chiefly albumin but also globulin) in the urine; usually a symptom of kidney disorder
aldosterone - a corticosteroid hormone that is secreted by the cortex of the adrenal gland; regulates salt (sodium and potassium) and water balance
allograft - tissue or organ transplanted from a donor of the same species but different genetic makeup; recipient's immune system must be suppressed to prevent rejection of the graft
along - with a forward motion; in accompaniment or as a companion; in addition (usually followed by `with'); to a more advanced state; in line with a length or direction (often followed by `by' or `beside')
alongside - side by side
amelioration - the act of relieving ills and changing for the better
amniotic - of or related to the amnion or characterized by developing an amnion
amount - how much of something is available; how much there is of something that you can quantify; a quantity obtained by the addition of a group of numbers; a quantity of money; verb be tantamount or equivalent to; develop into; add up in number or quantity
anatomy - a detailed analysis; the branch of morphology that deals with the structure of animals; alternative names for the body of a human being
aneurysm - a cardiovascular disease characterized by a saclike widening of an artery resulting from weakening of the artery wall
angina - any disease of the throat or fauces marked by spasmodic attacks of intense suffocative pain; a heart condition marked by paroxysms of chest pain due to reduced oxygen to the heart
angiogenesis - the formation of new blood vessels
angioplasty - an operation to repair a damaged blood vessel or unblock a coronary artery
angiotensin converting enzyme - noun proteolytic enzyme that converts angiotensin I into angiotensin II
animal - of the nature of or characteristic of or derived from an animal or animals; marked by the appetites and passions of the body; a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
anomalous - deviating from the general or common order or type
anomaly - (astronomy) position of a planet as defined by its angular distance from its perihelion (as observed from the sun); a person who is unusual; deviation from the normal or common order or form or rule
another - any of various alternatives; some other
antiarrhythmic - a drug used to treat an abnormal heart rhythm
anticoagulation - the administration of an anticoagulant drug to retard coagulation of the blood
anything - a thing of any kind
aorta - the large trunk artery that carries blood from the left ventricle of the heart to branch arteries
aortic - of or relating to the aorta
apex - the point on the celestial sphere toward which the sun and solar system appear to be moving relative to the fixed stars; the highest point (of something)
apnea - transient cessation of respiration
arrest - the state of inactivity following an interruption; the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal); verb hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of; take into custody; attract and fix; cause to stop
arrhythmia - an abnormal rate of muscle contractions in the heart
arterial - of or involving or contained in the arteries
arteriosclerosis - sclerosis of the arterial walls
artery - a major thoroughfare that bears important traffic; a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body
ascites - accumulation of serous fluid in peritoneal cavity
aspirin - the acetylated derivative of salicylic acid; used as an analgesic anti-inflammatory drug (trade names Bayer and Empirin) usually taken in tablet form; used as an antipyretic; slows clotting of the blood by poisoning platelets
assess - verb estimate the value of (property) for taxation; charge (a person or a property) with a payment, such as a tax or a fine; place a value on; judge the worth of something; set or determine the amount of (a payment such as a fine)
assist - (sports) the act of enabling another player to make a good play; the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose; verb act as an assistant in a subordinate or supportive function; work for or be a servant to; give help or assistance; be of service
associated - related to or accompanying; joined in some kind of relationship (as a colleague or ally or companion etc.)
atheroma - a fatty deposit in the intima (inner lining) of an artery; can obstruct blood flow
atheromatous - of or relating to or resembling atheroma
atherosclerosis - a stage of arteriosclerosis involving fatty deposits (atheromas) inside the arterial walls
atherosclerotic - of or relating to atherosclerosis
atom - (nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything; (physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element
atrial fibrillation - fibrillation of the muscles of the atria of the heart
atrial septal defect - an abnormal opening between the left and right atria of the heart
atrial - of or relating to a cavity or chamber in the body (especially one of the upper chambers of the heart)
atrium - the central area in a building; open to the sky; any chamber that is connected to other chambers or passageways (especially one of the two upper chambers of the heart)
autograft - tissue that is taken from one site and grafted to another site on the same person
autoimmune - of or relating to the immune response of the body against substance normally present in the body
backwards - at or to or toward the back or rear; in a manner or order or direction the reverse of normal
bacterial - relating to or caused by bacteria
balloon - large tough nonrigid bag filled with gas or heated air; small thin inflatable rubber bag with narrow neck; verb become inflated; ride in a hot-air balloon
ballooning - flying in a balloon
band aid - hurried repair; trade name for an adhesive bandage to cover small cuts or blisters
beats - a United States youth subculture of the 1950s; rejected possessions or regular work or traditional dress; for communal living and psychedelic drugs and anarchism; favored modern forms of jazz (e.g., bebop)
become - verb enter or assume a certain state or condition; come into existence; undergo a change or development; enhance the appearance of
below - at a later place; in or to a place that is lower; (in writing) see below; on a floor below; further down
beta blocker - any of various drugs used in treating hypertension or arrhythmia; decreases force and rate of heart contractions by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors of the autonomic nervous system
beta-carotene - an isomer of carotene that is found in dark green and dark yellow fruits and vegetables
between - in between; in the interval
biochemical - of or relating to biochemistry; involving chemical processes in living organisms
blastocele - the fluid-filled cavity inside a blastula
blastoderm - a layer of cells on the inside of the blastula
blastula - early stage of an embryo produced by cleavage of an ovum; a liquid-filled sphere whose wall is composed of a single layer of cells; during this stage (about eight days after fertilization) implantation in the wall of the uterus occurs
bleeding - flow of blood from a ruptured blood vessels
blockage - the act of blocking; an obstruction in a pipe or tube; the state or condition of being obstructed
blocking - the act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements
blood - temperament or disposition; the fluid (red in vertebrates) that is pumped by the heart; people viewed as members of a group; the descendants of one individual; a dissolute man in fashionable society; verb smear with blood, as in a hunting initiation rite, where the face of a person is smeared with the blood of the kill
bloodstream - the blood flowing through the circulatory system
blowing - processing that involves blowing a gas
both - (used with count s) two considered together; the two
brachial - of or relating to an arm
bradycardia - abnormally slow heartbeat
breakdown - an analysis into mutually exclusive categories; a cessation of normal operation; a mental or physical breakdown; the act of disrupting an established order so it fails to continue
breast - the front part of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen; either of two soft fleshy milk-secreting glandular organs on the chest of a woman; meat carved from the breast of a fowl; verb reach the summit; meet at breast level; confront bodily
breastbone - the flat bone that articulates with the clavicles and the first seven pairs of ribs
breath - the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing; a slight movement of the air; the air that is inhaled and exhaled in respiration; a short respite; an indirect suggestion
bypass - a road that takes traffic around the edge of a town; a surgically created shunt (usually around a damaged part); a conductor having low resistance in parallel with another device to divert a fraction of the current; verb avoid something unpleasant or laborious
calcium - a white metallic element that burns with a brilliant light; the fifth most abundant element in the earth's crust; an important component of most plants and animals
called - known or spoken of as; given or having a specified name
capable - (usually followed by `of') having capacity or ability; (followed by `of') having the temperament or inclination for; possibly accepting or permitting; having the requisite qualities for; have the skills and qualifications to do things well
cardiac arrest - absence of systole; failure of the ventricles of the heart to contract (usually caused by ventricular fibrillation) with consequent absence of the heart beat leading to oxygen lack and eventually to death
cardiac - of or relating to the heart
cardiomyopathy - a disorder (usually of unknown origin) of the heart muscle (myocardium)
cardiovascular disease - a disease of the heart or blood vessels
cardiovascular - of or pertaining to or involving the heart and blood vessels
catecholamine - any of a group of chemicals including epinephrine and norepinephrine that are produced in the medulla of the adrenal gland
catheter - a thin flexible tube inserted into the body to permit introduction or withdrawal of fluids or to keep the passageway open
catheterization - the operation of introducing a catheter into the body
caudal - situated in or directed toward the part of the body from which the tail arises; resembling a tail; constituting or relating to a tail; toward the posterior end of the body
causation - the act of causing something to happen
causing - the act of causing something to happen
cavity - (anatomy) a natural hollow or sinus within the body; soft decayed area in a tooth; progressive decay can lead to the death of a tooth; space that is surrounded by something; a sizeable hole (usually in the ground)
cellular - characterized by or divided into or containing cells or compartments (the smallest organizational or structural unit of an organism or organization); relating to cells
cephalic - of or relating to the head
cerebrovascular - of or relating to the brain and the blood vessels that supply it
certain - exercising or taking care great enough to bring assurance; established beyond doubt or question; definitely known; having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured; certain to occur; destined or inevitable; definite but not specified or identified; reliable in operation or effect; established irrevocably
cessation - a stopping
chamber - a natural or artificial enclosed space; a room where a judge transacts business; an enclosed volume in the body; a deliberative or legislative or administrative or judicial assembly; a room used primarily for sleeping; verb place in a chamber
chambers - English architect (1723-1796)
channels - official routes of communication
characterized - of the meaning of words or concepts; stated precisely
chemical - relating to or used in chemistry; of or made from or using substances produced by or used in reactions involving atomic or molecular changes; produced by or used in a reaction involving changes in atoms or molecules
chemically - with respect to chemistry; by the use of chemicals
chest - box with a lid; used for storage; usually large and sturdy; furniture with drawers for keeping clothes; the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates
cholesterol - an animal sterol that is normally synthesized by the liver; the most abundant steroid in animal tissues
chromosomal - of or relating to a chromosome
circulate - verb cause to become widely known; move around freely; move through a space, circuit or system, returning to the starting point; cause to move in a circuit or system; cause to be distributed; cause to move around; become widely known and passed on; move in circles
circulating - passing from one to another
circumferential - lying around or just outside the edges or outskirts; a road that takes traffic around the edge of a town
citric - of or related to citric acid
cleavage - the act of cleaving or splitting; the line formed by a groove between two parts (especially the separation between a woman's breasts); (embryology) the repeated division of a fertilised ovum; the breaking of a chemical bond in a molecule resulting in smaller molecules; the state of being split or cleft
closed - not open or affording passage or access; used especially of mouth or eyes; blocked against entry; (set theory) of an interval that contains both its endpoints; not having an open mind; not open to the general public; with shutters closed; requiring union membership; not open
clot - a lump of material formed from the content of a liquid; verb change from a liquid to a thickened or solid state; cause to change from a liquid to a solid or thickened state; coalesce or unite in a mass; turn into curds
clotting - the process of forming semisolid lumps in a liquid
clump - a heavy dull sound (as made by impact of heavy objects); a grouping of a number of similar things; a compact mass; verb walk clumsily; gather or cause to gather into a cluster; come together as in a cluster or flock; make or move along with a sound as of a horse's hooves striking the ground
clumping - the sound of a horse's hoofs hitting on a hard surface
coarctation - (biology) a narrowing or constriction of a vessel or canal; especially a congenital narrowing of the aorta; tight or narrow compression
coffee - a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans; any of several small trees and shrubs native to the tropical Old World yielding coffee beans; a medium brown to dark-brown color; a seed of the coffee tree; ground to make coffee
commonly - under normal conditions
completely - so as to be complete; with everything necessary; to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (`whole' is often used informally for `wholly')
compression - applying pressure; encoding information while reducing the bandwidth or bits required; the process or result of becoming smaller or pressed together; an increase in the density of something
compromise - a middle way between two extremes; an accommodation in which both sides make concessions; verb settle by concession; make a compromise; arrive at a compromise; expose or make liable to danger, suspicion, or disrepute
concentric - having a common center
conception - the act of becoming pregnant; fertilization of an ovum by a spermatozoon; the creation of something in the mind; an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances; the event that occurred at the beginning of something
concomitant - following as a consequence; an event or situation that happens at the same time as or in connection with another
conducting - the direction of an orchestra or choir; the way of administering a business
conduction - the transmission of heat or electricity or sound
congenital - present at birth but not necessarily hereditary; acquired during fetal development
congested - overfull as with blood
conical - relating to or resembling a cone
consciousness - an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation; having knowledge of
consumption - the act of consuming something; the process of taking food into the body through the mouth (as by eating); (economics) the utilization of economic goods to satisfy needs or in manufacturing; involving the lungs with progressive wasting of the body
contain - verb be capable of holding or containing; be divisible by; hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of; lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits; include or contain; have as a component; contain or hold; have within
contents - a list of divisions (chapters or articles) and the pages on which they start
continued - without stop or interruption
continuous - continuing in time or space without interruption; of a function or curve; extending without break or irregularity
contractile - capable of contracting or being contracted
contractility - the capability or quality of shrinking or contracting, especially by muscle fibers and even some other forms of living matter
contraction - the act of decreasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope; (physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber); a word formed from two or more words by omitting or combining some sounds; the process or result of becoming smaller or pressed together
controlled - restrained or managed or kept within certain bounds; curbed or regulated
coordination - the regulation of diverse elements into an integrated and harmonious operation; the skillful and effective interaction of movements; the grammatical relation of two constituents having the same grammatical form
cor pulmonale - enlargement of the right ventricle of the heart due to disease of the lungs or of the pulmonary blood vessels
coronary artery disease - a stage of arteriosclerosis involving fatty deposits (atheromas) inside the arterial walls
coronary artery - the artery that branches from the aorta to supply blood to the heart
coronary bypass surgery - open-heart surgery in which the rib cage is opened and a section of a blood vessel is grafted from the aorta to the coronary artery to bypass the blocked section of the coronary artery and improve the blood supply to the heart
coronary care unit - a hospital unit specially staffed and equipped to treat patients with serious cardiac problems
coronary - surrounding like a crown (especially of the blood vessels surrounding the heart); obstruction of blood flow in a coronary artery by a blood clot (thrombus)
corrected - having something undesirable neutralized; punished for misbehavior
corresponding - agreeing in amount, magnitude, or degree; accompanying; similar especially in position or purpose; conforming in every respect
crystalline - consisting of or containing or of the nature of crystals; transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity; distinctly or sharply outlined
current - occurring in or belonging to the present time; a steady flow (usually from natural causes); a flow of electricity through a conductor; dominant course (suggestive of running water) of successive events or ideas
cyanosis - a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes; a sign that oxygen in the blood is dangerously diminished (as in carbon monoxide poisoning)
cytoplasmic - of or relating to cytoplasm
damage - the act of damaging something or someone; loss of military equipment; the occurrence of a change for the worse; any harm or injury resulting from a violation of a legal right; the amount of money needed to purchase something; verb inflict damage upon
damaged - harmed or injured or spoiled; especially of reputation; being unjustly brought into disrepute
dangle - verb cause to dangle or hang freely; hang freely
days - the time during which someone's life continues
daytime - the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
death - the act of killing; the event of dying or departure from life; the personification of death; the permanent end of all life functions in an organism or part of an organism; the absence of life or state of being dead; the time at which life ends; continuing until dead; the time when something ends; a final state
decrease - the act of decreasing or reducing something; the amount by which something decreases; a change downward; a process of becoming smaller or shorter; verb decrease in size, extent, or range; make smaller
decreased - made less in size or amount or degree
defect - a failing or deficiency; an imperfection in a bodily system; an imperfection in a device or machine; a mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something (especially on a person's body); verb desert (a cause, a country or an army), often in order to join the opposing cause, country, or army
defibrillation - treatment by stopping fibrillation of heart muscles (usually by electric shock delivered by a defibrillator)
deficiency - lack of an adequate quantity or number; the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
deficit - the property of being an amount by which something is less than expected or required; an excess of liabilities over assets (usually over a certain period); (sports) the score by which a team or individual is losing; a deficiency or failure in neurological or mental functioning
definition - clarity of outline; a concise explanation of the meaning of a word or phrase or symbol
deformed - so badly formed or out of shape as to be ugly
delimited - showing or determining a boundary; having the limits or boundaries established
demand - the act of demanding; an urgent or peremptory request; the ability and desire to purchase goods and services; required activity; a condition requiring relief; verb request urgently and forcefully; claim as due or just; ask to be informed of; summon to court; lay legal claim to; require as useful, just, or proper
density - the amount per unit size; the spatial property of being crowded together
depth - degree of psychological or intellectual profundity; extent downward or backward or inward; (usually plural) the deepest and most remote part; (usually plural) a low moral state; the intellectual ability to penetrate deeply into ideas
derange - verb throw into great confusion or disorder; derange mentally, throw out of mental balance; make insane
described - represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
destruction - the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists; an event (or the result of an event) that completely destroys something; a final state
determinant - having the power or quality of deciding; a determining or causal element or factor; a square matrix used to solve simultaneous equations; the site on the surface of an antigen molecule to which an antibody attaches itself
developing - relating to societies in which capital needed to industrialize is in short supply; gradually unfolding or growing (especially as of something latent); making or becoming visible through or as if through the action of a chemical agent; processing a photosensitive material in order to make an image visible
deviation - deviate behavior; the error of a compass due to local magnetic disturbances; the difference between an observed value and the expected value of a variable or function; a variation that deviates from the standard or norm; a turning aside (of your course or attention or concern)
device - any clever maneuver; an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose; an emblematic design (especially in heraldry); any ornamental pattern or design (as in embroidery); something in an artistic work designed to achieve a particular effect
diabetes - any of several metabolic disorders marked by excessive urination and persistent thirst
diagnose - verb determine or distinguish the nature of a problem or an illness through a diagnostic analysis; subject to a medical analysis
diagnosis - identifying the nature or cause of some phenomenon
diameter - the length of a straight line passing through the center of a circle and connecting two points on the circumference; a straight line connecting the center of a circle with two points on its perimeter (or the center of a sphere with two points on its surface)
diastolic - of or relating to a diastole or happening during a diastole
different - differing from all others; not ordinary; unlike in nature or quality or form or degree; distinctly separate from the first; distinct or separate; marked by dissimilarity
diffuse - spread out; not concentrated in one place; lacking conciseness; (of light) transmitted from a broad light source or reflected; verb move outward; cause to become widely known; spread or diffuse through
digoxin - digitalis preparation (trade name Lanoxin) used to treat congestive heart failure or cardiac arrhythmia; helps the heart beat more forcefully
dilatation - the state of being stretched beyond normal dimensions; the act of expanding an aperture
dilation - the act of expanding an aperture; a lengthy discussion (spoken or written) on a particular topic
dioxide - an oxide containing two atoms of oxygen in the molecule
directly - without deviation; in a forthright manner; candidly or frankly; without anyone or anything intervening; without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
discoloration - the act of changing the natural color of something by making it duller or dingier or unnatural or faded; a soiled or discolored appearance
disease - an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning
disintegration - total destruction; the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation; separation into component parts; in a decomposed state
dislodge - verb remove or force from a position of dwelling previously occupied; remove or force out from a position; change place or direction
dislodgment - forced removal from a position of advantage
disruption - the act of causing disorder; an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity; an event that results in a displacement or discontinuity; a disorderly outburst or tumult
distal - situated farthest from point of attachment or origin, as of a limb or bone; directed away from the midline or mesial plane of the body
distant - apart in space; separate or apart in time; separated in space or coming from or going to a distance; far apart in relevance or relationship; remote in manner
diuretic - any substance that tends to increase the flow of urine
donor - person who makes a gift of property; (medicine) someone who gives blood or tissue or an organ to be used in another person (the host)
doom - an unpleasant or disastrous destiny; verb make certain of the failure or destruction of; decree or designate beforehand; proce a sentence on (somebody) in a court of law
doubtful - fraught with uncertainty or doubt; open to doubt or suspicion; unsettled in mind or opinion
downward - extending or moving from a higher to a lower place; spatially or metaphorically from a higher to a lower level or position
drainage - emptying something accomplished by allowing liquid to run out of it
drug - a substance that is used as a medicine or narcotic; verb administer a drug to; use recreational drugs
duration - continuance in time; the property of enduring or continuing in time; the period of time during which something continues
dysfunction - (medicine) any disturbance in the function of an organ or body part
dyspnea - difficult or labored respiration
easily - without question; with ease (`easy' is sometimes used informally for `easily'); indicating high probability; in all likelihood
eccentric - not having a common center; not concentric; conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual; a person with an unusual or odd personality; a person of a specified kind (usually with many eccentricities)
echocardiography - a noninvasive diagnostic procedure that uses ultrasound to study to structure and motions of the heart
edema - swelling from excessive accumulation of serous fluid in tissue
effective - existing in fact; not theoretical; real; able to accomplish a purpose; functioning effectively; exerting force or influence; producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect; works well as a means or remedy; ready for service
effects - property of a personal character that is portable but not used in business
effusion - flow under pressure; an unrestrained expression of emotion
eject - verb leave an aircraft rapidly, using an ejection seat or capsule; eliminate (substances) from the body; cause to come out in a squirt; put out or expel from a place
ejection - the act of forcing out someone or something; the act of expelling or projecting or ejecting
elasticity - the tendency of a body to return to its original shape after it has been stretched or compressed
elderly - advanced in years; (`aged' is proced as two syllables); people who are old collectively
electrical - relating to or concerned with electricity; using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
electrocardiogram - a graphical recording of the cardiac cycle produced by an electrocardiograph
electrocardiographic - of or relating to an electrocardiograph
electrocardiography - diagnostic procedure consisting of recording the activity of the heart electronically with a cardiograph (and producing a cardiogram)
electron - an elementary particle with negative charge
elevated - raised above the ground; raised above ground level; on elevated rails; a railway that is powered by electricity and that runs on a track that is raised above the street level
embolism - occlusion of a blood vessel by an embolus (a loose clot or air bubble or other particle); an insertion into a calendar
embolus - an abnormal particle (e.g. an air bubble or part of a clot) circulating in the blood
embryo - an animal organism in the early stages of growth and differentiation that in higher forms merge into fetal stages but in lower forms terminate in commencement of larval life; (botany) a minute rudimentary plant contained within a seed or an archegonium
encrusted - having a hardened crust as a covering
endocarditis - inflammation of the endocardium and heart valves
endocardium - the membrane that lines the cavities of the heart and forms part of the heart valves
endothelial - of or relating to or located in the endothelium
endothelium - an epithelium of mesoblastic origin; a thin layer of flattened cells that lines the inside of some body cavities
enlargement - a photographic print that has been enlarged; the state of being enlarged; the act of increasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope; a discussion that provides additional information
environmental - concerned with the ecological effects of altering the environment; of or relating to the external conditions or surroundings
enzyme - any of several complex proteins that are produced by cells and act as catalysts in specific biochemical reactions
epidemiology - the branch of medical science dealing with the transmission and control of disease
epistaxis - bleeding from the nose
epithelial - of or belonging to the epithelium
erectile dysfunction - impotence resulting from a man's inability to have or maintain an erection of his penis
especially - to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common; in a special manner
evaluation - act of ascertaining or fixing the value or worth of; an appraisal of the value of something
event - something that happens at a given place and time; a phenomenon located at a single point in space-time; the fundamental observational entity in relativity theory; a special set of circumstances; a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
example - an item of information that is representative of a type; punishment intended as a warning to others; a task performed or problem solved in order to develop skill or understanding; something to be imitated; a representative form or pattern; an occurrence of something
exceeding - far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree
excess - more than is needed, desired, or required; immoderation as a consequence of going beyond sufficient or permitted limits; a quantity much larger than is needed; excessive indulgence; the state of being more than full
excitation - something that agitates and arouses; the neural or electrical arousal of an organ or muscle or gland; the state of being emotionally aroused and worked up
excretion - the bodily process of discharging waste matter; waste matter (as urine or sweat but especially feces) discharged from the body
exertion - use of physical or mental energy; hard work
expressed - communicated in words; precisely and clearly expressed or readily observable; leaving nothing to implication
extremely - to an extreme degree; to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect; to an extreme degree or extent; to an extreme degree
failure - an unexpected omission; an act that fails; an event that does not accomplish its intended purpose; a person with a record of failing; someone who loses consistently; loss of ability to function normally; lack of success; inability to discharge all your debts as they come due
falls - the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris); a steep descent of the water of a river
faster - more quickly
fatty - containing or composed of fat; a rotund individual
feed - food for domestic livestock; verb introduce continuously; give food to; take in food; used of animals only; serve as food for; be the food for; feed into; supply; provide as food; gratify; support or promote; provide with fertilizers or add nutrients to; profit from in an exploitatory manner; move along, of liquids
feelings - emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
feverfew - bushy aromatic European perennial herb having clusters of buttonlike white-rayed flower heads; valued traditionally for medicinal uses; sometimes placed in genus Chrysanthemum
fibrillation - act or process of forming fibrils; muscular twitching involving individual muscle fibers acting without coordination
fibrin - a white insoluble fibrous protein formed by the action of thrombin on fibrinogen when blood clots; it forms a network that traps red cells and platelets
fibrinogen - a protein present in blood plasma; converts to fibrin when blood clots
filled - (usually followed by `with' or used as a combining form) generously supplied with; (of time) taken up; of purchase orders that have been filled
fist - a hand with the fingers clenched in the palm (as for hitting)
fitness - the condition of being suitable; the quality of being qualified; good physical condition; being in shape or in condition; fitness to traverse the seas
fixed - incapable of being changed or moved or undone; e.g. "frozen prices"; (of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value; securely placed or fastened or set; fixed and unmoving; (of taxes) not increasing as the amount taxed increases
flexibility - the quality of being adaptable or variable; the property of being flexible; easily bent or shaped; the trait of being easily persuaded
flexible - bending and snapping back readily without breaking; able to flex; able to bend easily; capable of being changed; making or willing to make concessions; able to adjust readily to different conditions
flowing - moving smoothly and continuously; (of water) rising to the surface under internal hydrostatic pressure; designed or arranged to offer the least resistant to fluid flow; the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)
fluoroscope - an X-ray machine that combines an X-ray source and a fluorescent screen to enable direct observation
fluorouracil - an antimetabolite used to treat certain cancers
following - about to be mentioned or specified; immediately following in time or order; going or proceeding or coming after in the same direction; in the desired direction; a group of followers or enthusiasts; the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
foreign - relating to or originating in or characteristic of another place or part of the world; of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own); not contained in or deriving from the essential nature of something; not belonging to that in which it is contained; introduced from an outside source
formation - the fabrication of something in a particular shape; creation by mental activity; a particular spatial arrangement; an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit; natural process that causes something to form; the act of forming something; (geology) the geological features of the earth
formed - fully developed as by discipline or training; having taken on a definite arrangement; having or given a form or shape; clearly defined; formed in the mind
fortify - verb add nutrients to; enclose by or as if by a fortification; make strong or stronger; add alcohol to (beverages); prepare oneself for a military confrontation
found - come upon unexpectedly or after searching; food and lodging provided in addition to money; verb use as a basis for; found on; set up or lay the groundwork for; set up or found
fraction - a small part or item forming a piece of a whole; the quotient of two rational numbers; a component of a mixture that has been separated by a fractional process; verb perform a division
frequently - many times at short intervals
functional - designed for or capable of a particular function or use; involving or affecting function rather than physiology; designed for or adapted to a function or use; fit or ready for use or service; relating to or based on function especially as opposed to structure; (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing
garlic - aromatic bulb used as seasoning; bulbous herb of southern Europe widely naturalized; bulb breaks up into separate strong-flavored cloves
gene - (genetics) a segment of DNA that is involved in producing a polypeptide chain; it can include regions preceding and following the coding DNA as well as introns between the exons; it is considered a unit of heredity
generalized - spread throughout a body or system; not biologically differentiated or adapted to a specific function or environment
generate - verb bring into existence; produce (energy); make children; give or supply
genesis - the first book of the Old Testament: tells of creation; Adam and Eve; the Fall of Man; Cain and Abel; Noah and the flood; God's covenant with Abraham; Abraham and Isaac; Jacob and Esau; Joseph and his brothers; a coming into being
genetic - of or relating to the science of genetics; pertaining to or referring to origin; tending to occur among members of a family usually by heredity; of or relating to or produced by or being a gene
genetics - the branch of biology that studies heredity and variation in organisms
genotype - the particular alleles at specified loci present in an organism; a group of organisms sharing a specific genetic constitution
ginkgo biloba - deciduous dioecious Chinese tree having fan-shaped leaves and fleshy yellow seeds; exists almost exclusively in cultivation especially as an ornamental street tree
ginseng - Chinese herb with palmately compound leaves and small greenish flowers and forked aromatic roots believed to have medicinal powers; aromatic root of ginseng plants
globin - a colorless protein obtained by removing heme from hemoglobin; the oxygen carrying compound in red blood cells
glucose - a monosaccharide sugar that has several forms; an important source of physiological energy
gradient - the property possessed by a line or surface that departs from the horizontal; a graded change in the magnitude of some physical quantity or dimension
growth factor - a protein that is involved in cell differentiation and growth
gynecomastia - excessive development of the breasts in males; usually the result of hormonal imbalance or treatment with certain drugs (including some antihypertensives)
habituation - a general accommodation to unchanging environmental conditions; being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming (especially alcohol or narcotic drugs)
handbook - a concise reference book providing specific information about a subject or location
hands - (with `in') guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child; the force of workers available
hardening - the act of making something harder (firmer or tighter or more compact); the process of becoming hard or solid by cooling or drying or crystallization; abnormal hardening or thickening of tissue
hawthorn - a spring-flowering shrub or small tree of the genus Crataegus
heard - detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
heart attack - a sudden severe instance of abnormal heart function
heart disease - a disease of the heart
heart failure - inability of the heart to pump enough blood to sustain normal bodily functions
heartbeat - an animating or vital unifying force; the rhythmic contraction and expansion of the arteries with each beat of the heart; a very short time (as the time it takes the eye blink or the heart to beat)
hellebore - any plant of the Eurasian genus Helleborus; perennial herbs of the lily family having thick toxic rhizomes
heme - a complex red organic pigment containing iron and other atoms to which oxygen binds
hemochromatosis - pathology in which iron accumulates in the tissues; characterized by bronzed skin and enlarged liver and diabetes mellitus and abnormalities of the pancreas and the joints
hemodynamic - or of relating to or involved in hemodynamics
hemodynamics - the branch of physiology that studies the circulation of the blood and the forces involved
hemoglobin - a hemoprotein composed of globin and heme that gives red blood cells their characteristic color; function primarily to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues
hemorrhage - flow of blood from a ruptured blood vessels; verb lose blood from one's body
hence - from this time; from this place; (used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
hereditary - inherited or inheritable by established rules (usually legal rules) of descent; tending to occur among members of a family usually by heredity
heterograft - tissue from an animal of one species used as a temporary graft (as in cases of severe burns) on an individual of another species
high-altitude - occurring at or from a relative high altitude
highly - in a high position or level or rank; to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect; at a high rate or wage
historical - having once lived or existed or taken place in the real world as distinct from being legendary; of or relating to the study of history; belonging to the past; of what is important or famous in the past; used of the study of a phenomenon (especially language) as it changes through time
homograft - tissue or organ transplanted from a donor of the same species but different genetic makeup; recipient's immune system must be suppressed to prevent rejection of the graft
hormone - the secretion of an endocrine gland that is transmitted by the blood to the tissue on which it has a specific effect
hospital - a health facility where patients receive treatment; a medical institution where sick or injured people are given medical or surgical care
hour - distance measured by the time taken to cover it; a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day; clock time; a special and memorable period
human - having human form or attributes as opposed to those of animals or divine beings; characteristic of humanity; relating to a person; any living or extinct member of the family Hominidae characterized by superior intelligence, articulate speech, and erect carriage
hydrodynamics - study of fluids in motion
hypercholesterolemia - the presence of an abnormal amount of cholesterol in the cells and plasma of the blood; associated with the risk of atherosclerosis
hyperglycemia - abnormally high blood sugar usually associated with diabetes
hyperkalemia - higher than normal levels of potassium in the circulating blood; associated with kidney failure or sometimes with the use of diuretic drugs
hyperlipidemia - presence of excess lipids in the blood
hyperplasia - abnormal increase in number of cells
hypersensitivity - extreme sensitivity; pathological sensitivity
hypertension - a common disorder in which blood pressure remains abnormally high (a reading of 140/90 mm Hg or greater)
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - a disorder in which the heart muscle is so strong that it does not relax enough to fill with the heart with blood and so has reduced pumping ability
hypertrophy - abnormal enlargement of a body part or organ; verb undergo hypertrophy
hypocapnia - a state in which the level of carbon dioxide in the blood is lower than normal; can result from deep or rapid breathing
hypoglycemia - abnormally low blood sugar usually resulting from excessive insulin or a poor diet
hypopnea - slow or shallow breathing
hypotension - abnormally low blood pressure
hypothyroidism - an underactive thyroid gland; a glandular disorder resulting from insufficient production of thyroid hormones
hypoxia - a very strong drive resulting from a deficiency of available oxygen in the blood and bodily tissues (short of anoxia)
immediately - without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening; near or close by; bearing an immediate relation
impedance - a material's opposition to the flow of electric current; measured in ohms
impending - close in time; about to occur
inadequate - (sometimes followed by `to') not meeting the requirements especially of a task; not sufficient to meet a need
incidence - the striking of a light beam on a surface; the relative frequency of occurrence of something
include - verb add as part of something else; put in as part of a set, group, or category; consider as part of something; have as a part, be made up out of; allow participation in or the right to be part of; permit to exercise the rights, functions, and responsibilities of
increase - the act of increasing something; the amount by which something increases; a change resulting in an increase; a process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important; a quantity that is added; verb make bigger or more; become bigger or greater in amount
increased - made greater in size or amount or degree
independently - on your own; without outside help; apart from others
individual - being or characteristic of a single thing or person; separate and distinct from others of the same kind; concerning one person exclusively; characteristic of or meant for a single person or thing; a single organism; a human being
infarct - localized necrosis resulting from obstruction of the blood supply
infarction - localized necrosis resulting from obstruction of the blood supply
infective - able to cause disease; caused by infection or capable of causing infection
inflammation - arousal to violent emotion; a response of body tissues to injury or irritation; characterized by pain and swelling and redness and heat; the act of setting something on fire; the state of being emotionally aroused and worked up
inhibited - held back or restrained or prevented
inhibitor - noun a substance that retards or stops an activity
inhibitor - a substance that retards or stops an activity
injured - usually used of physical or mental injury to persons
inner - inside or closer to the inside of the body; located or occurring within or closer to a center; located inward; innermost or essential; exclusive to a center; especially a center of influence; confined to an exclusive group
innermost - situated or occurring farthest within; being deepest within the self
insoluble - without hope of solution; (of a substance) incapable of being dissolved; admitting of no solution or explanation
instantaneously - without any delay
intact - undamaged in any way; whole; not impaired or diminished in any way; (of a woman) having the hymen unbroken; constituting the undiminished entirety; lacking nothing essential especially not damaged; (used of domestic animals) sexually competent
internal - happening or arising or located within some limits or especially surface; occurring within an institution or community; located inward; inside the country; innermost or essential
iron overload - pathology in which iron accumulates in the tissues; characterized by bronzed skin and enlarged liver and diabetes mellitus and abnormalities of the pancreas and the joints
ischemia - local anemia in a given body part sometimes resulting from vasoconstriction or thrombosis or embolism
ischemic - relating to or affected by ischemia
junction - an act of joining or adjoining things; the place where two or more things come together; something that joins or connects; the state of being joined together; the shape or manner in which things come together and a connection is made
karyotype - the appearance of the chromosomal makeup of a somatic cell in an individual or species (including the number and arrangement and size and structure of the chromosomes)
kava - an alcoholic drink made from the aromatic roots of the kava shrub
licorice - a black candy flavored with the dried root of the licorice plant; deep-rooted coarse-textured plant native to the Mediterranean region having blue flowers and pinnately compound leaves; widely cultivated in Europe for its long thick sweet roots
lidocaine - a local anesthetic (trade names Lidocaine and Xylocaine) used topically on the skin and mucous membranes
life-threatening - causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm
lining - the act of attaching an inside lining (to a garment or curtain etc.); providing something with a surface of a different material; a protective covering that protects an inside surface; a piece of cloth that is used as the inside surface of a garment
linoleic acid - a liquid polyunsaturated fatty acid abundant in plant fats and oils; a fatty acid essential for nutrition; used to make soap
linolenic acid - a liquid polyunsaturated fatty acid that occurs in some plant oils; an essential fatty acid
lipid - an oily organic compound insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents; essential structural component of living cells (along with proteins and carbohydrates)
location - a point or extent in space; a workplace away from a studio at which some or all of a movie may be made; a determination of the place where something is; the act of putting something in a certain place
lodgement - the state or quality of being lodged or fixed even temporarily; bringing a charge or accusation against someone
longer - for more time; a person with a strong desire for something
loss of consciousness - the occurrence of a loss of the ability to perceive and respond
loss - the act of losing; the disadvantage that results from losing something; the experience of losing a loved one; the amount by which the cost of a business exceeds its revenue; something that is lost; gradual decline in amount or activity; euphemistic expressions for death; military personnel lost by death or capture
low-density - having low concentration; having low relative density or specific gravity
lower - the lower of two berths; verb set lower; cause to drop or sink; move something or somebody to a lower position; look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval; make lower or quieter
lowering - darkened by clouds; the act of causing something to move to a lower level; the act of causing to become less
lumen - a cavity or passage in a tubular organ; a unit of luminous flux equal to the amount of light given out through a solid angle of 1 steradian by a point source of 1 candela intensity radiating uniformly in all directions
luminal - a long-acting barbiturate used as a sedative
mRNA - the template for protein synthesis; the form of RNA that carries information from DNA in the nucleus to the ribosome sites of protein synthesis in the cell
macula - a yellowish central area of the retina that is rich in cones and that mediates clear detailed vision; a patch of skin that is discolored but not usually elevated; caused by various diseases; a cooler darker spot appearing periodically on the sun's photosphere; associated with a strong magnetic field
made - produced by a manufacturing process; (of a bed) having the sheets and blankets set in order; successful or assured of success
main - of force; of the greatest possible intensity; (of a clause) capable of standing syntactically alone as a complete sentence; most important element; a principal pipe in a system that distributes water or gas or electricity or that collects sewage; any very large body of (salt) water
malfunction - a failure to function normally; verb fail to function or function improperly
malignant hypertension - severe hypertension that runs a rapid course and damages the inner linings of the blood vessels and the heart and spleen and kidneys and brain
malignant - dangerous to health; characterized by progressive and uncontrolled growth (especially of a tumor)
management - the act of managing something; those in charge of running a business
many - a quantifier that can be used with count s and is often preceded by `as' or `too' or `so' or `that'; amounting to a large but indefinite number
marked - singled out for notice or especially for a dire fate; strongly marked; easily noticeable; having or as if having an identifying mark or a mark as specified; often used in combination
marker - some conspicuous object used to distinguish or mark something; a writing implement for making a mark; a distinguishing symbol
maximal - the greatest or most complete or best possible
mechanical - using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices; relating to or governed by or in accordance with mechanics; relating to or concerned with machinery or tools
mechanics - the branch of physics concerned with the motion of bodies in a frame of reference; the technical aspects of doing something
medical - requiring or amenable to treatment by medicine especially as opposed to surgery; relating to the study or practice of medicine; of or belonging to Aesculapius or the healing art; a thorough physical examination; includes a variety of tests depending on the age and sex and health of the person
membrane - a thin pliable sheet of material; a pliable sheet of tissue that covers or lines or connects organs or cells of animals
metabolism - the organic processes (in a cell or organism) that are necessary for life; the marked and rapid transformation of a larva into an adult that occurs in some animals
mexiletine - antiarrhythmic drug (trade name Mexitil) used to treat ventricular arrhythmias
migrate - verb move from one country or region to another and settle there; move periodically or seasonally
mild - moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme; mild and pleasant; humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness
mimic - constituting an imitation; someone who mimics (especially an actor or actress); verb imitate (a person or manner), especially for satirical effect
minutes - a written account of what transpired at a meeting
mitral stenosis - obstruction or narrowing of the mitral valve (as by scarring from rheumatic fever)
mitral valve prolapse - cardiopathy resulting from the mitral valve not regulating the flow of blood between the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart
mitral - of or relating to or located in or near the mitral valve; relating to or resembling the miter worn by some clerics
mm Hg – An abbreviation for millimeters of mercury. Blood pressure is measured in units of mm Hg—how high the pressure inside the arteries would be able to raise a column of mercury.
monitoring - the act of observing something (and sometimes keeping a record of it)
morbid - suggesting an unhealthy mental state; caused by or altered by or manifesting disease or pathology; suggesting the horror of death and decay
mortality - the quality or state of being mortal; the ratio of deaths in an area to the population of that area; expressed per 1000 per year
mucous - of or secreting or covered with or resembling mucus
multiplied - greatly increased as by multiplication
muscle - authority or power or force (especially when used in a coercive way); animal tissue consisting predominantly of contractile cells; one of the contractile organs of the body; possessing muscular strength; a bully employed as a thug or bodyguard; verb make one's way by force
must - highly recommended; grape juice before or during fermentation; a necessary or essential thing; the quality of smelling or tasting old or stale or mouldy
myocardial infarction - destruction of heart tissue resulting from obstruction of the blood supply to the heart muscle
myocardial - of or relating to the myocardium
myocarditis - inflammation of the myocardium (the muscular tissue of the heart)
myocardium - the middle muscular layer of the heart wall
myofibril - one of many contractile filaments that make up a striated muscle fiber
myoglobin - a hemoprotein that receives oxygen from hemoglobin and stores it in the tissues until needed
myopathy - any pathology of the muscles that is not attributable to nerve dysfunction
narrowing - (of circumstances) tending to constrict freedom; becoming gradually narrower; the act of making something narrower; an instance of becoming narrow; a decrease in width
nearly - (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; in a close manner
necessary - unavoidably determined by prior circumstances; absolutely essential; anything indispensable
necrosis - the localized death of living cells (as from infection or the interruption of blood supply)
necrotic - relating to or affected by necrosis
nephropathy - a disease affecting the kidneys
nerve - any bundle of nerve fibers running to various organs and tissues of the body; impudent aggressiveness; the courage to carry on; verb get ready for something difficult or unpleasant
nervous - easily agitated; of or relating to the nervous system; unpredictably excitable (especially of horses); excited in anticipation; causing or fraught with or showing anxiety
nicotine - an alkaloid poison that occurs in tobacco; used in medicine and as an insecticide
nifedipine - calcium blocker (trade name Procardia); appears to increase the risk of recurrent heart attacks
nitroglycerin - a heavy yellow poisonous oily explosive liquid obtained by nitrating glycerol; used in making explosives and medically as a vasodilator (trade names Nitrospan and Nitrostat)
nocturnal - belonging to or active during the night; of or relating to or occurring in the night
noninflammatory - not inflammatory
nonspecific - not caused by a specific agent; used also of staining in making microscope slides
normal - conforming with or constituting a norm or standard or level or type or social norm; not abnormal; being approximately average or within certain limits in e.g. intelligence and development; in accordance with scientific laws; forming a right angle; something regarded as a normative example
normally - under normal conditions
nosocomial - taking place or originating in a hospital
nuts - informal or slang terms for mentally irregular
obesity - more than average fatness
obstruct - verb block passage through; shut out from view or get in the way so as to hide from sight; hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
obstruction - getting in someone's way; the act of obstructing; any structure that makes progress difficult; the state or condition of being obstructed; something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
obstructive - preventing movement
occlusion - (dentistry) the normal spatial relation of the teeth when the jaws are closed; closure or blockage (as of a blood vessel); the act of blocking; an obstruction in a pipe or tube; (meteorology) a composite front when colder air surrounds a mass of warm air and forces it aloft
occur - verb come to one's mind; suggest itself; to be found to exist; come to pass
often - many times at short intervals; frequently or in great quantities
only - exclusive of anyone or anything else; being the only one; single and isolated from others; with nevertheless the final result; in the final outcome; as recently as; except that; never except when; and nothing more; without any others being included or involved
onset - the beginning or early stages; (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
opposed - being in opposition or having an opponent; in opposition to (a policy or attitude etc.)
organs - edible viscera of a butchered animal
other - very unusual; different in character or quality from the normal or expected; recently past; not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied; belonging to the distant past
outcome - something that results; a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
outer - being on or toward the outside of the body; being on the outside or further from a center; located outside
outflow - the process of flowing out; the unwanted discharge of a fluid from some container; a natural flow of ground water
outward - relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind; that is going out or leaving; toward the outside
overload - an excessive burden; an electrical load that exceeds the available electrical power; verb place too much a load on; become overloaded; fill to excess so that function is impaired
overview - a general summary of a subject
ovum - the female reproductive cell; the female gamete
oxidation - the process of oxidizing; the addition of oxygen to a compound with a loss of electrons; always occurs accompanied by reduction
oxidative - taking place in the presence of oxygen
oxygen - a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust
pacemaker - an implanted electronic device that takes over the function of the natural cardiac pacemaker; a specialized bit of heart tissue that controls the heartbeat; a horse used to set the pace in racing; a leading instance in its field
paralysis - loss of the ability to move a body part
paroxysmal - accompanied by or of the nature of paroxysms
particularly - to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common; specifically or especially distinguished from others; uniquely or characteristically
parts - the local environment
patent ductus arteriosus - a ductus arteriosus that failed to close at birth; may require surgical correction
pathogenesis - the origination and development of a disease
pathologic - caused by or altered by or manifesting disease or pathology; of or relating to the practice of pathology
pelvis - a structure shaped like a funnel in the outlet of the kidney into which urine is discharged before passing into the ureter; the structure of the vertebrate skeleton supporting the lower limbs in humans and the hind limbs or corresponding parts in other vertebrates
percutaneous - through the unbroken skin; refers to medications applied directly to the skin (creams or ointments) or in time-release forms (skin patches)
perform - verb carry out or perform an action; give a performance (of something); perform a function; get (something) done
pericardial - located around the heart or relating to or affecting the pericardium
pericarditis - inflammation of the pericardium
pericardium - a serous membrane with two layers that surrounds the heart
permanent - continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place; not capable of being reversed or returned to the original condition; a series of waves in the hair made by applying heat and chemicals
persistent - never-ceasing; retained; not shed; continually recurring to the mind
pheochromocytoma - a vascular tumor of the adrenal gland; hypersecretion of epinephrine results in intermittent or sustained hypertension
phlebitis - inflammation of a vein (usually in the legs)
plaque - (pathology) a small abnormal patch on or inside the body; a memorial made of brass
platelet - tiny bits of protoplasm found in vertebrate blood; essential for blood clotting
pollutant - waste matter that contaminates the water or air or soil
potassium - a light soft silver-white metallic element of the alkali metal group; oxidizes rapidly in air and reacts violently with water; is abundant in nature in combined forms occurring in sea water and in carnallite and kainite and sylvite
potential - existing in possibility; expected to become or be; in prospect; the inherent capacity for coming into being; the difference in electrical charge between two points in a circuit expressed in volts
prevent - verb prevent from doing something or being in a certain state; keep from happening or arising; make impossible
prevention - the act of preventing
preventive - preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease; tending to prevent or hinder; tending to ward off; remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease; an agent or device intended to prevent conception; any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome
procedure - a mode of conducting legal and parliamentary proceedings; a particular course of action intended to achieve a result; a process or series of acts especially of a practical or mechanical nature involved in a particular form of work; a set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program
produced - that is caused by
progress - the act of moving forward toward a goal; a movement forward; gradual improvement or growth or development; verb develop in a positive way; form or accumulate steadily; move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
prophylaxis - the prevention of disease
protein - any of a large group of nitrogenous organic compounds that are essential constituents of living cells; consist of polymers of amino acids; essential in the diet of animals for growth and for repair of tissues; can be obtained from meat and eggs and milk and legumes
proteinuria - the presence of excessive protein (chiefly albumin but also globulin) in the urine; usually a symptom of kidney disorder
proximal - situated nearest to point of attachment or origin
pulmonary circulation - circulation of blood between the heart and the lungs
pulmonary embolism - blockage of the pulmonary artery by foreign matter or by a blood clot
pumped - tense with excitement and enthusiasm as from a rush of adrenaline
purplish-blue - of blue tinged with purple
quinidine - cardiac drug (trade names Quinidex and Quinora) used to treat certain heart arrhythmias
raised - increased especially to abnormal levels; above the surround or above the normal position; embellished with a raised pattern created by pressure or embroidery
rapid - done or occurring in a brief period of time; characterized by speed; moving with or capable of moving with high speed; a part of a river where the current is very fast
rapidity - a rate that is rapid
rapidly - with rapid movements
rates - a local tax on property (usually used in the plural)
reactive - participating readily in reactions; tending to react to a stimulus
recipient - a person who gets something; the semantic role of the animate entity that is passively involved in the happening denoted by the verb in the clause
recording - the act of making a record (especially an audio record); signal encoding something (e.g., picture or sound) that has been recorded; a storage device on which information (sounds or images) have been recorded
recover - verb regain a former condition after a financial loss; cover anew; get or find back; recover the use of; regain or make up for; get over an illness or shock; reuse (materials from waste products)
recurrent - recurring again and again
reduced - well below normal (especially in price); made less in size or amount or degree
reduction - the act of reducing complexity; any process in which electrons are added to an atom or ion (as by removing oxygen or adding hydrogen); always occurs accompanied by oxidation of the reducing agent; the act of decreasing or reducing something
regurgitation - recall after rote memorization; backflow of blood through a defective heart valve; the reflex act of ejecting the contents of the stomach through the mouth
rehabilitation - the restoration of someone to a useful place in society; the treatment of physical disabilities by massage and electrotherapy and exercises; vindication of a person's character and the re-establishment of that person's reputation; the conversion of wasteland into land suitable for use of habitation or cultivation
rupture - the act of making a sudden noisy break; a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions); state of being torn or burst open; verb separate or cause to separate abruptly
same - unchanged in character or nature; closely similar or comparable in kind or quality or quantity or degree; same in identity; equal in amount or value; the language of nomadic Lapps in northern Scandinavia and the Kola Peninsula; a member of an indigenous nomadic people living in northern Scandinavia and herding reindeer
sarcomere - one of the segments into which a myofibril is divided
scavenger - any animal that feeds on refuse and other decaying organic matter; a chemical agent that is added to a chemical mixture to counteract the effects of impurities; someone who collects things that have been discarded by others
science - a particular branch of scientific knowledge; ability to produce solutions in some problem domain
sclerosis - any pathological hardening or thickening of tissue
screening - testing objects or persons in order to identify those with particular characteristics; fabric of metal or plastic mesh; the display of a motion picture; the act of concealing the existence of something by obstructing the view of it
secondary hypertension - hypertension that is secondary to another disease
secretion - a functionally specialized substance (especially one that is not a waste) released from a gland or cell; the organic process of synthesizing and releasing some substance
segment - one of the parts into which something naturally divides; one of several parts or pieces that fit with others to constitute a whole object; verb divide or split up; divide into segments
sensing - becoming aware of something via the senses; the perception that something has occurred or some state exists
septal - of or relating to a septum
septum - (anatomy) a dividing partition between two tissues or cavities; a partition or wall especially in an ovary
sinus - any of various air-filled cavities especially in the bones of the skull; a wide channel containing blood; does not have the coating of an ordinary blood vessel; an abnormal passage leading from a suppurating cavity to the body surface
site - physical position in relation to the surroundings; the piece of land on which something is located (or is to be located); a computer connected to the internet that maintains a series of web pages on the World Wide Web; verb assign a location to
sleep apnea - apnea that occurs during sleep
sleep - a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended; a torpid state resembling deep sleep; a period of time spent sleeping; euphemisms for death (based on an analogy between lying in a bed and in a tomb); verb be asleep; be able to accommodate for sleeping
smoking - emitting smoke in great volume; the act of smoking tobacco or other substances; a hot vapor containing fine particles of carbon being produced by combustion
sodium - a silvery soft waxy metallic element of the alkali metal group; occurs abundantly in natural compounds (especially in salt water); burns with a yellow flame and reacts violently in water; occurs in sea water and in the mineral halite (rock salt)
some - relatively many but unspecified in number; relatively much but unspecified in amount or extent; remarkable; quantifier; used with either mass s or plural count s to indicate an unspecified number or quantity; (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
spasm - (pathology) sudden constriction of a hollow organ (as a blood vessel); a painful and involuntary muscular contraction
specialized - marked by or characteristic of specialization in a mechanical or scientific subject; developed or designed for a special activity or function
species - a specific kind of something; (biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
spherical - of or relating to spheres or resembling a sphere; having the shape of a sphere or ball
spontaneous - happening or arising without apparent external cause; said or done without having been planned or written in advance
starting - appropriate to the beginning or start of an event; (especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear; a turn to be a starter (in a game at the beginning)
stenosis - abnormal narrowing of a bodily canal or passageway
steps - the course along which a person has walked or is walking in; a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
sternum - the flat bone that articulates with the clavicles and the first seven pairs of ribs
stethoscope - a medical instrument for listening to the sounds generated inside the body
strengthen - verb gain strength; make strong or stronger; give a healthy elasticity to
stress test - a test measuring how a system functions when subjected to controlled amounts of stress
sudden death - (sports) overtime in which play is stopped as soon as one contestant scores; e.g. football and golf
sudden - happening without warning or in a short space of time
sufficient - of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
suffocation - killing by depriving of oxygen; the condition of being deprived of oxygen (as by having breathing stopped)
supply - offering goods and services for sale; an amount of something available for use; the activity of supplying or providing something; verb provide or furnish with; state or say further; provide what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance; circulate or distribute or equip with
supplying - the activity of supplying or providing something
surrounding - closely encircling
survival - something that survives; a natural process resulting in the evolution of organisms best adapted to the environment; a state of surviving; remaining alive
swiftly - in a swift manner
sympathomimetic - relating to epinephrine (its release or action)
symptomatic - relating to or according to or affecting a symptom or symptoms; characteristic or indicative of e.g. a disease
syncope - (phonology) the loss of sounds in the interior of a word (as in `fo'c'sle' for `forecastle'); a spontaneous loss of consciousness caused by insufficient blood to the brain
syndrome - a complex of concurrent things; a pattern of symptoms indicative of some disease
synonymous - (of words) meaning the same or nearly the same
synthesis - the combination of ideas into a complex whole; the process of producing a chemical compound (usually by the union of simpler chemical compounds); reasoning from the general to the particular (or from cause to effect)
synthesize - verb combine so as to form a more complex, product; combine and form a synthesis
systemic - affecting an entire system
systole - the contraction of the chambers of the heart (especially the ventricles) to drive blood into the aorta and pulmonary artery
systolic - of or relating to a systole or happing during a systole
tachycardia - abnormally rapid heartbeat (over 100 beats per minute)
taken - be affected with an indisposition; having possession gained especially by force or effort; understood in a certain way; made sense of
tamponade - blockage or closure (as of a wound or body cavity) by (or as if by) a tampon (especially to stop bleeding)
technique - a practical method or art applied to some particular task; skillfulness in the command of fundamentals deriving from practice and familiarity
temperature - the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (corresponding to its molecular activity); the somatic sensation of cold or heat
temporary - lacking continuity or regularity; not permanent; not lasting; a worker (especially in an office) hired on a temporary basis
tendency - a characteristic likelihood of or natural disposition toward a certain condition or character or effect; a general direction in which something tends to move; an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others; an inclination to do something
terminology - a system of words used to name things in a particular discipline
testing - the act of subjecting to experimental test in order to determine how well something works; an examination of the characteristics of something; the act of giving students or candidates a test (as by questions) to determine what they know or have learned
therapy - (medicine) the act of caring for someone (as by medication or remedial training etc.)
thrombin - an enzyme that acts on fibrinogen in blood causing it to clot
thrombocytopenia - a blood disease characterized by an abnormally small number of platelets in the blood
thromboembolism - occlusion of a blood vessel by an embolus that has broken away from a thrombus
thrombosis - the formation or presence of a thrombus (a clot of coagulated blood attached at the site of its formation) in a blood vessel
thrombus - a blood clot formed within a blood vessel and remaining attached to its place of origin
through - (of a route or journey etc.) continuing without requiring stops or changes; having finished or arrived at completion; throughout the entire extent; over the whole distance; in diameter; from beginning to end; to completion
throughout - from first to last; used to refer to cited works
thus - in the way indicated; (used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result; an aromatic gum resin obtained from various Arabian or East African trees; formerly valued for worship and for embalming and fumigation
thyrotoxicosis - an overactive thyroid gland; pathologically excessive production of thyroid hormones or the condition resulting from excessive production of thyroid hormones
tissue - part of an organism consisting of an aggregate of cells having a similar structure and function; a soft thin (usually translucent) paper; verb create a piece of cloth by interlacing strands of fabric, such as wool or cotton
tomography - (medicine) obtaining pictures of the interior of the body
transient - of a mental act; causing effects outside the mind; lasting a very short time; (physics) a short-lived oscillation in a system caused by a sudden change of voltage or current or load; one who stays for only a short time
transmissible - (of disease) capable of being transmitted by infection; inherited or inheritable by established rules (usually legal rules) of descent; tending to occur among members of a family usually by heredity
transplantation - the act of removing something from one location and introducing it in another location; an operation moving an organ from one organism (the donor) to another (the recipient)
trauma - an emotional wound or shock often having long-lasting effects; any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
treatment - care by procedures or applications that are intended to relieve illness or injury; the management of someone or something; a manner of dealing with something artistically; an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
tricuspid - having three cusps or points (especially a molar tooth)
triglyceride - glyceride occurring naturally in animal and vegetable tissues; it consists of three individual fatty acids bound together in a single large molecule; an important energy source forming much of the fat stored by the body
tumor - an abnormal new mass of tissue that serves no purpose
type A - the blood group whose red cells carry the A antigen
unstable - highly or violently reactive; disposed to psychological variability; lacking stability or fixity or firmness; subject to change; variable; affording no ease or reassurance; suffering from severe mental illness
valve - control consisting of a mechanical device for controlling the flow of a fluid; device in a brass wind instrument for varying the length of the air column to alter the pitch of a tone; a structure in a hollow organ (like the heart) with a flap to insure one-way flow of fluid through it
valvular heart disease - heart disease caused by stenosis of the cardiac valves and obstructed blood flow or caused by degeneration and blood regurgitation
valvular - relating to or operating by means of valves
various - considered individually; of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity; distinctly dissimilar or unlike; having great diversity or variety
vasculitis - inflammation of a blood vessel
vasoconstriction - decrease in the diameter of blood vessels
ventricle - a chamber of the heart that receives blood from an atrium and pumps it to the arteries; one of four connected cavities in the brain; is continuous with the central canal of the spinal cord and contains cerebrospinal fluid
ventricular fibrillation - fibrillation of heart muscles resulting in interference with rhythmic contractions of the ventricles and possibly leading to cardiac arrest
ventricular - of or relating to a ventricle (of the heart or brain)
visceral - relating to or affecting the viscera; obtained through intuition rather than from reasoning or observation
visualization - a mental image that is similar to a visual perception
voltage - the rate at which energy is drawn from a source that produces a flow of electricity in a circuit; expressed in volts; the difference in electrical charge between two points in a circuit expressed in volts
waistline - the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips
xenograft - tissue from an animal of one species used as a temporary graft (as in cases of severe burns) on an individual of another species

Cardiovascular disease A-Z

Most common cardiac diseases

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Glossary of cardiology

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