V Glossary
Acute coronary syndrome: A group of conditions that involves a sudden compromise in blood flow to the myocardium. (Chapter 5.7)
Afterload: The force the ventricles must generate to pump blood against the resistance in the vessels. (Chapter 5.2)
Aneurysm: Dilation or bulging of a blood vessel caused by weakened vessel walls. (Chapter 5.12)
Angina: Chest pain or discomfort that is unpredictable and occurs at rest or with minimal exertion. (Chapter 5.7)
Angioplasty: Use of a balloon to stretch open a blocked artery. (Chapter 5.3)
Ankle-brachial index (ABI): An assessment comparing the blood pressure in the arms (brachial artery) to that in the ankles (dorsalis pedis or posterior tibial arteries). (Chapter 5.9)
Arteriosclerosis: The thickening and stiffening of arterial walls. (Chapter 5.6)
Artery: A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart. (Chapter 5.2)
Ascites: Abnormal fluid accumulation in the abdomen. (Chapter 5.3, Chapter 5.8)
Atherosclerosis: Buildup of cholesterol, fatty deposits, and wastes within the lining of the arteries. (Chapter 5.6)
Blood pressure: The force exerted by blood on the walls of the blood vessels. (Chapter 5.2)
Bradycardia: The condition in which resting rate drops below 60 bpm. (Chapter 5.2, Chapter 5.3)
Capillary: A microscopic channel that supplies blood to the tissue cells where nutrients and wastes are exchanged at the cellular level. (Chapter 5.2)
Capillary refill test: Test performed on the nail beds to monitor perfusion. (Chapter 5.3)
Cardiac catheterization: A diagnostic procedure used to visualize the coronary arteries, heart chambers, and great vessels; also known as coronary angiography or angiogram. (Chapter 5.3)
Cardiac output (CO): Measurement of the amount of blood pumped by each ventricle in one minute. (Chapter 5.2)
Cardiac stress test: A diagnostic procedure used to evaluate the performance and function of the heart during physical activity; also known as an exercise stress test or treadmill test. (Chapter 5.3)
Cardiovascular disease (CVD): Disease that affects the heart and blood vessels. (Chapter 5.1)
Clipping: A surgical procedure involving the placement of a small metal clip at the base of the aneurysm to block blood flow into it and prevent rupture. (Chapter 5.12)
Coiling: A minimally invasive procedure involving the insertion of tiny coils into the aneurysm through a catheter to promote clotting within the aneurysm and prevent blood flow into it. (Chapter 5.12)
Compliance: The ability of any compartment to expand to accommodate increased content. (Chapter 5.2)
Contractility: The force or strength of the contraction itself. (Chapter 5.2)
Coronary angiogram: A procedure that uses a special dye (contrast material) and X-rays to see how blood flows through the arteries in the heart. (Chapter 5.3)
Coronary artery disease (CAD): Plaque buildup that causes the inside of the coronary arteries to narrow over time, which can partially or totally block the blood flow to the muscle tissue of the heart. (Chapter 5.7)
D-dimer: A blood test that is a marker for the presence of blood clots, specifically the breakdown products of fibrin that result from the dissolution of a blood clot. (Chapter 5.11)
Deep vein thrombosis: A blood clot in a peripheral deep vein. (Chapter 5.11)
Diastole: Period of relaxation that occurs as the chambers fill with blood. (Chapter 5.2)
Duplex ultrasonography: An imaging test that uses sound waves to look at the flow of blood in the veins. (Chapter 5.11)
Dyspnea: Shortness of breath. (Chapter 5.3, Chapter 5.8)
Dysrhythmia: An altered conduction of the electrical signal through the heart, resulting in an abnormal rate or rhythm.
Echocardiography: A noninvasive diagnostic test that uses sound waves (ultrasound) to create real-time images of the heart’s structure and function. (Chapter 5.3)
Edema: Excess fluid around the cells. (Chapter 5.2)
Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): A recording of the electrical activity of the heart that allows health care professionals to assess the heart’s rhythm and identify various cardiac conditions. (Chapter 5.3)
Embolus: A portion of a thrombus that breaks free from the vessel wall and enters the circulation. (Chapter 5.6)
Endarterectomy: Surgical removal of plaque from the arteries. (Chapter 5.6)
Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR): A minimally invasive procedure where a stent graft is inserted into the aneurysm through small incisions in the groin or other access points. (Chapter 5.12)
Epicardial pacemakers: Pacemakers inserted through an incision in the chest, and the leads are attached to the heart. (Chapter 5.3)
Heart failure (HF): Occurs when the heart loses its effectiveness in pumping blood and is referred to as decreased cardiac output. (Chapter 5.8)
Heart rate (HR): The number of times the heart beats per minute. (Chapter 5.2)
Hematemesis: Vomiting of blood. (Chapter 5.12)
Hemoptysis: Coughing up blood. (Chapter 5.11)
Holter monitor: A portable device designed to continuously record a client’s heart rhythm and electrical activity over an extended period, typically 24 to 48 hours. (Chapter 5.3)
Hypertension: Chronically elevated blood pressure greater than 120/80 mm Hg. (Chapter 5.5)
Hypervolemia: Excessive fluid volume. (Chapter 5.2)
Hypovolemia: Low blood volume. (Chapter 5.2)
Infarct: The most significant area of damage during an MI. (Chapter 5.7)
Infective endocarditis: A potentially life-threatening infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves. (Chapter 5.13)
Injured: Tissues located next to ischemic area that can remain viable as long as oxygen is delivered to the tissue by pathways that circumvent the blockage. (Chapter 5.7)
Intermittent claudication: Muscle pain, cramping, or fatigue during physical activity (e.g., walking) that resolves with rest and recurs with activity. (Chapter 5.9)
Ischemia: Condition in which oxygenated blood flow to tissue is reduced. (Chapter 5.7)
Janeway lesions: Nontender, red, or hemorrhagic macules often found on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. (Chapter 5.13)
Jugular venous distention (JVD): Distended jugular vein when client is positioned at 45 degrees. (Chapter 5.3)
Melena: Dark, tarry stools. (Chapter 5.12)
Metabolic syndrome: A group of conditions that increase the risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. The conditions include elevated blood pressure, blood glucose, and triglyceride levels, as well as increased waist circumference. (Chapter 5.3)
Modifiable risk factors: Risk factors that an individual can control through their actions, behavior, or lifestyle choices. (Chapter 5.3)
Murmurs: Abnormal heart sounds that may indicate valvular or structural heart abnormalities. (Chapter 5.3)
Myocardial infarction (MI): Commonly referred to as a “heart attack”; occurs when there is a sudden blockage within the coronary arteries that occludes oxygenated blood flow to the heart tissue. (Chapter 5.7)
Myocardial ischemia: Also known as “heart attack.” Myocardial ischemia occurs when there is decreased blood flow through the coronary arteries. (Chapter 5.3)
Negative inotropic factors: Factors that increase contractility. (Chapter 5.2)
Nonmodifiable risk factors: Risk factors are those that cannot be changed. (Chapter 5.3)
Open surgical repair: An operation where the aneurysm is directly accessed, and a graft is sewn into place to replace the weakened section of the artery. (Chapter 5.12)
Orthopnea: Shortness of breath when lying flat. (Chapter 5.3, Chapter 5.8)
Osler’s nodes: Tender subcutaneous nodules often found on the fingertips. (Chapter 5.13)
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea: Sudden nighttime breathlessness. (Chapter 5.3)
Pectus carinatum: Protrusion of the chest. (Chapter 5.3)
Pectus excavatum: Depression of the chest. (Chapter 5.3)
Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA): A minimally invasive procedure in which a catheter is inserted into a narrowed artery and a balloon is inflated to compress the plaque and widen the artery. (Chapter 5.9)
Perfusion: The passage of blood through the blood vessels. (Chapter 5.2)
Pericardial friction rub: A high-pitched, scratchy sound that occurs when the inflamed pericardial layers rub against each other. (Chapter 5.3)
Peripheral artery disease (PAD): A type of atherosclerosis in which narrowed or blocked arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, usually the legs; also known as peripheral vascular disease (PVD). (Chapter 5.9)
Poikilothermia: Coolness in an affected limb. (Chapter 5.9)
Point of maximum impulse (PMI): The location where the apex of the heart touches the chest wall. (Chapter 5.3)
Positive inotropic factors: Factors that increase contractility. (Chapter 5.2)
Precordium: Area over the heart. (Chapter 5.3)
Preload: End diastolic volume. (Chapter 5.2)
Primary hypertension: The most common type of hypertension that typically has no identifiable cause. It tends to develop gradually over time and is influenced by various risk factors such as genetics, age, race, diet, lifestyle, and stress. (Chapter 5.5)
Pulse: Expansion and recoiling of the arterial wall. (Chapter 5.2)
Roth spots: Retinal hemorrhages that are visible on fundoscopy. (Chapter 5.13)
S1: The first heart sound, often described as “lub,” that corresponds to the closure of the atrioventricular valves (i.e., the mitral and tricuspid valves). (Chapter 5.3)
S2: The second heart sound, described as “dub,” that corresponds to the closure of the semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonic valves). (Chapter 5.3)
S3: A low frequency heart sound, known as a ventricular gallop, that is heard shortly after the S2 and precedes S1. (Chapter 5.3)
S4: A sound heard late in the cardiac cycle, just before S1; known as an atrial gallop. (Chapter 5.3)
Secondary hypertension: Hypertension that occurs as the result of an underlying medical condition or medication. (Chapter 5.5)
Segmental pressure measurements: Blood pressure readings at multiple levels along the limbs (e.g., thigh, calf, ankle) to help identify specific locations of arterial narrowing or blockage. (Chapter 5.9)
Sinoatrial (SA) node: Establishes normal cardiac rhythm within the heart. (Chapter 5.2)
Sinus rhythm: Normal electrical pattern of the heart. (Chapter 5.2)
Splinter hemorrhages: Linear hemorrhages under the nails. (Chapter 5.13)
Stent: Insertion of a small mesh tube to help expand an artery. (Chapter 5.3)
Stroke volume (SV): The quantity of blood pumped out of the left ventricle with contraction of the heart muscle. (Chapter 5.2)
Systole: Period of contraction that the heart undergoes while it pumps blood into circulation. (Chapter 5.2)
Tachycardia: Heart rate over 100 beats per minute. (Chapter 5.2, Chapter 5.3)
Thrills: Vibratory sensations over the precordium, particularly in areas where murmurs are suspected. (Chapter 5.3)
Transesophageal echocardiogram: A invasive procedure that involves the insertion of an ultrasound probe via the esophagus to produce a more detailed ultrasound image of heart. (Chapter 5.3)
Transthoracic echocardiogram: A noninvasive diagnostic test that uses sound waves (ultrasound) to create real-time images of the heart’s structure and function. (Chapter 5.3)
Transvenous pacemakers: Pacemakers inserted through a vein and threaded into the heart. (Chapter 5.3)
Troponin: A blood test used to help diagnose myocardial infarction that measures protein released into the bloodstream when heart tissue is damaged. (Chapter 5.7)
Veins: Blood vessels that return blood to the heart. (Chapter 5.2)
Venous insufficiency: A condition that occurs when the veins in the legs have difficulty returning blood back to the heart. (Chapter 5.10)
Venous reserve: Volume of venous blood located in venous networks within the liver, bone marrow, and integument. (Chapter 5.2)
Venous stasis: Slow blood flow in the veins, usually in the legs. (Chapter 5.8, Chapter 5.11)
Venules: Small veins. (Chapter 5.2)
