9.9 Glossary

Acute coronary syndrome (ə-KYŪT KOR-ŏ-nā-rē SĬN-drōm) (ACS): A term used to describe a range of conditions associated with sudden, reduced blood flow to the heart, including myocardial infarction. (Chapter 9.6)

Aneurysm (AN-yŭ-rizm): A dilation or bulging of a blood vessel caused by weakened vessel walls, potentially leading to rupture. (Chapter 9.6)

Angina (an-JĪ-nă): Chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, often associated with coronary artery disease. (Chapter 9.6)

Angioplasty (AN-jee-ō-plas-tē): A procedure to restore blood flow through the artery by inserting and inflating a tiny balloon; it may also involve placing a stent to keep the artery open. (Chapter 9.6, Chapter 9.7)

Aortic insufficiency (ā-OR-tĭk in-sŭ-FISH-ĕn-sē): A condition where the aortic valve does not close tightly, allowing blood to flow backward into the heart. (Chapter 9.6)

Apex (Ā-peks): The inferior tip of the heart, located just to the left of the sternum between the junction of the fourth and fifth ribs. (Chapter 9.4)

Arrhythmia (ā-RITH-mē-ă): An abnormal heart rhythm resulting from variations in the normal sequence of electrical impulses. (Chapter 9.6)

Arterioles (ar-TĒR-ē-ōlz): Small branches of an artery leading into capillaries. (Chapter 9.4)

Artery (AR-tĕr-ē): A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart, branching into smaller vessels called arterioles. (Chapter 9.4)

Atherosclerosis (ă-thĕr-ō-sklĕ-RO-sĭs): Hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the buildup of cholesterol and other fats, known as plaque, within the lining of the arteries. (Chapter 9.6)

Atrial fibrillation (Ā-trē-ăl fĭb-rĭ-LĀ-shŏn) (A Fib): A common type of arrhythmia characterized by rapid and irregular beating of the atrial chambers of the heart. (Chapter 9.6)

Atrial septal defect (Ā-trē-ăl SĔP-tăl dĭ-FĔKT): A congenital heart defect characterized by an opening in the septum between the left and right atria. (Chapter 9.6)

Auscultation (os-kŭl-TĀ-shŏn): The process of listening to the internal sounds of the body, typically with a stethoscope, used in diagnosing conditions of the heart and lungs. (Chapter 9.4)

Automated external defibrillator (aw-tŏ-māt′-ĕd ĕks-tĕr′năl dē-fĭb′-rĭ-lā-tŏr) (AED): A portable device used in emergencies to treat sudden cardiac arrest by administering an electric shock. (Chapter 9.6)

Blood pressure (BLŬD PRESH-ŭr) (BP): The force of blood against the walls of arteries, typically measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). (Chapter 9.5)

Bradycardia (brad-ē-KAR-dē-ă): A heart rate that is slower than normal, less than 60 bpm in adults, which can be normal or indicative of an underlying condition. (Chapter 9.5, Chapter 9.6)

Bruit (BRWĒ): An abnormal sound or murmur heard during auscultation of an artery, often due to atherosclerosis or narrowing. (Chapter 9.6)

Capillary (KAP-ĭ-lār-ē): A microscopic channel that supplies blood to the tissue cells and connects arterioles with venules. (Chapter 9.4)

Cardiac ablation (kär′dē-ăk ă-BLĀ-shŏn): A procedure used to destroy problematic heart tissue that causes irregular heartbeats. (Chapter 9.7)

Cardiac arrest (KAR-dē-ăk ăr-REST): A sudden cessation of heart function, often due to arrhythmias. (Chapter 9.6)

Cardiac catheterization (kär′dē-ăk kăth-ĕ-tĕr-ĭ-ZĀ-shŏn): A diagnostic procedure in which a catheter is inserted into a large blood vessel that leads to the heart. (Chapter 9.7)

Cardiac output (KAR-dē-ăk OUT-put): The amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute. (Chapter 9.5)

Cardiac stress test (kär′-dē-ăk strĕs tĕst): A test that measures the heart’s ability to respond to external stress in a controlled clinical environment. (Chapter 9.7)

Cardiologist (kar-dē-OL-ŏ-jĭst): A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases and conditions. (Chapter 9.7)

Cardiology (kăr-dē-ŏl′ō-jē): The study of the heart and its functions in health and disease. (Chapter 9.7)

Cardiomyopathy (kar-dē-ō-my-OP-ă-thē): A group of diseases that affect the heart muscle, leading to impaired cardiac function. (Chapter 9.6)

Cerebrovascular disease (sĕr′-brō-VAS-kyū-lăr dĭ-ZĒZ) (CVD): A group of conditions affecting the blood vessels and blood supply to the brain, including stroke. (Chapter 9.6)

Coarctation (kō-ark-TĀ-shŏn): A congenital condition characterized by the narrowing of the aorta, leading to reduced blood flow. (Chapter 9.6)

Congenital (kŏn-JĔN-ĭ-tăl): A conditions present at birth, which can include a variety of heart disorders. (Chapter 9.6)

Coronary angiogram (KOR-ŏ-nā-rē AN-jee-ō-gram): A procedure that uses X-ray imaging to see the heart’s blood vessels. (Chapter 9.7)

Coronary artery bypass (KOR-ŏ-nā-rē AR-tĕr-ē bī-păs): A type of surgery that improves blood flow to the heart. (Chapter 9.7)

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (KOR-ŏ-nā-rē AR-tĕr-ē bī-păs graft Sŭr-jĕr-ē) (CABG): A surgical procedure used in coronary artery disease where blood flow is rerouted around a blocked artery. (Chapter 9.6)

Coronary artery disease (KOR-ŏ-nā-rē AR-tĕr-ē dĭ-ZĒZ) (CAD): A condition where plaque buildup occurs in the coronary arteries, leading to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. (Chapter 9.6)

Deep vein thrombosis (dēp vān THROM-bō-sĭs) (DVT): A blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs, which can be life-threatening if it dislodges and travels to the lungs. (Chapter 9.6)

Defibrillator (dē-FIB-rĭ-lā-tŏr): A device used to deliver an electric shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm. (Chapter 9.6)

Diaphoresis (dī-ă-fŏ-RĒ-sĭs): Excessive sweating, commonly associated with some cardiovascular events like a myocardial infarction. (Chapter 9.6)

Diastole (dī-AS-tŏ-lē): The phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscles relax and the chambers fill with blood. (Chapter 9.5)

Echocardiogram (ek-ō-KAR-dē-ō-gram): A sonographic imaging test that uses sound waves to produce images of the heart. (Chapter 9.7)

Edema (e-DĒ-mă): Swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body’s tissues, often occurring in the legs and ankles. (Chapter 9.6)

Electrocardiogram (ē-lĕk-trō-KĂR-dē-ō-grăm) (EKG or ECG): A test that measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat to show abnormalities in the heart rhythm and structure. (Chapter 9.6, Chapter 9.7)

Endovenous laser ablation (ĕn′-dō-vē′-nŭs lā′-zŏr ăb-lā′-shŭn): A minimally invasive procedure used to treat varicose veins using laser energy. (Chapter 9.6)

Heart block (härt blŏk): A condition where the electrical signals in the heart are partially or completely blocked. (Chapter 9.6)

Heart failure (HART FĀL-yŭr) (HF): A condition where the heart can’t pump blood efficiently to meet the body’s needs, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath and edema. (Chapter 9.6)

Heart rate (HART RĀT) (HR): The number of heartbeats per minute, with normal resting HR for an adult being 60–100 bpm. (Chapter 9.5)

Heart transplant (härt trăns′-plănt): A surgical procedure to replace a diseased and nonfunctioning heart with a healthy heart from a donor. (Chapter 9.7)

Holter monitor (HOL-tĕr MON-ĭ-tŏr): A portable device worn to continuously monitor the heart’s rhythms and electrical activity. (Chapter 9.7)

Hypertension (hī-pĕr-TEN-shŏn) (HTN): Elevated blood pressure, typically defined as greater than 120/80 mm Hg in adults. (Chapter 9.5, Chapter 9.6)

Hypotension (hī-pō-TEN-shŏn): Abnormally low blood pressure. (Chapter 9.5)

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ĭm-plănt′-ă-bŭl kär′dē-ō-vûr′-tŏr dē-fĭb′-rĭ-lā-tŏr) (ICD): A device implanted in the chest to monitor heart rhythms and provide appropriate electrical therapy to correct arrhythmias. (Chapter 9.6)

Inferior vena cava (VĒ-nă KĀ-vă): A large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart. (Chapter 9.4)

Intravenous (ĭn-tră-VĒ-nŭs) (IV): Pertaining to within a vein, often referring to the administration of medications or fluids. (Chapter 9.4, Chapter 9.7)

Ischemia (ĭs-KEE-mē-ă): A condition where blood flow and oxygen are restricted or reduced in a part of the body, often due to narrowed or blocked arteries. (Chapter 9.6)

Murmur (MUR-mŭr): A sound heard during heartbeat that may be a normal or an abnormal finding, often caused by turbulent blood flow. (Chapter 9.6)

Myocardial infarction (mī-ŏ-kar′dē-ăl in-FARK-shŏn) (MI): Commonly known as a heart attack, caused by blockage of blood flow to the heart tissue resulting in death of cardiac muscle cells. (Chapter 9.4, Chapter 9.6)

Normal sinus rhythm (SĪ-nŭs RITH-ŭm) (NSR): The regular, natural rhythm of the heart, characterized by coordinated electrical activity. (Chapter 9.6)

Occlude (ŏ-KLOOD): To block or close a blood vessel or passage. (Chapter 9.5)

Palpitations (pal-pĭ-TĀ-shŏnz): A sensation where an individual feels that their heart is racing, pounding, fluttering, or skipping a beat. (Chapter 9.6)

Patent ductus arteriosus (PĀ-tĕnt DŬK-tŭs är-tēr′-ē-ō-sŭs): A congenital heart defect where the ductus arteriosus fails to close after birth, allowing blood to flow between the aorta and pulmonary artery. (Chapter 9.6)

Patent foramen ovale (PĀ-tĕnt fŏ-rā′-mĕn ō-vā′-lē): A congenital heart defect where a hole in the septum between the heart’s atria does not close at birth. (Chapter 9.6)

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (pĕr-kyū-TĀ-nē-ŭs trăns-LOO-mĭ-năl KOR-ŏ-nā-rē AN-jee-ō-plas-tē) (PTCA): A procedure to open up blocked coronary arteries, allowing blood to circulate unobstructed to the heart muscle. (Chapter 9.7)

Perfusion (pĕr-FŪ-zhŏn): The passage of blood through the blood vessels to supply organs and tissues. (Chapter 9.5)

Pericardiocentesis (per-ĭ-kar-dē-ō-sen-TĒ-sĭs): A procedure to remove fluid from the sac surrounding the heart. (Chapter 9.7)

Peripheral artery disease (pĕr-IF-ĕr-ăl AR-tĕr-ē dĭ-ZĒZ) (PAD): A condition characterized by narrowed arteries in the peripheral parts of the body, often leading to pain and muscle cramps. (Chapter 9.6)

Phlebectomy (flĕ-BĔK-tŏ-mē): A surgical procedure to remove varicose veins. (Chapter 9.6)

Pulse (PULS): The rhythmic expansion and recoil of arteries resulting from heart contraction; can be felt over arteries close to the body’s surface. (Chapter 9.5)

Regurgitation (rē-gŭr′-jĭ-tā′-shŭn): The backward flow of blood through a heart valve, indicating that the valve isn’t closing properly. (Chapter 9.6)

Sclerotherapy (sklĕr-ō-THER-ă-pē): A procedure used to treat varicose veins and spider veins by injecting a solution directly into the vein. (Chapter 9.6)

Single-photon emission computerized tomography scan (sĭng′-gŭl fō′-tŏn ē-mĭsh′-ŭn kŏm-pyū′-tə-rīzd tŏ-mŏg′-rə-fē skăn) (SPECT): A type of nuclear medicine scan that provides detailed images of internal organs, including the heart. (Chapter 9.7)

Sphygmomanometer (sfĭg-mō-măn-ŎM-ĕt-ĕr): An instrument used to measure blood pressure, commonly referred to as a blood pressure cuff. (Chapter 9.5, Chapter 9.6)

Stenosis (stĕ-NŌ-sĭs): The abnormal narrowing of a passage in the body, such as a blood vessel or a heart valve. (Chapter 9.6)

Stethoscope (STETH-ŏ-skōp): An instrument used to listen to heart and lung sounds, referred to as auscultation. (Chapter 9.4)

Superior vena cava (VĒ-nă KĀ-vă): A large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper body to the heart. (Chapter 9.4)

Syncope (SING-kŏ-pē): A temporary loss of consciousness or fainting, often related to insufficient blood flow to the brain. (Chapter 9.6)

Systole (SIS-tŏ-lē): The phase of the cardiac cycle in which the ventricles contract and eject blood. (Chapter 9.5)

Tachycardia (tak-ē-KAR-dē-ă): A condition where the heart rate is faster than normal, over 100 bpm in adults. (Chapter 9.5, Chapter 9.6)

Tetralogy of Fallot (tĕt′ră-lō-jē ŏf fă-LŌ): A serious congenital heart condition that includes four heart defects, leading to mixed blood flow and reduced oxygenation. (Chapter 9.6)

Thrombolysis (thrŏm-BOL-ĭ-sĭs): A treatment to dissolve dangerous clots in blood vessels, improve blood flow, and prevent damage to tissues and organs. (Chapter 9.6)

Transesophageal echocardiogram (trăn-sē-sŏf-ă-JĒ-ăl ek-ō-KAR-dē-ō-gram): An imaging test that uses sound waves to create detailed pictures of the heart via the esophagus. (Chapter 9.7)

Valve replacement (vălv rē-plās′-mĕnt): A surgical procedure to replace one or more of the heart’s valves with either an artificial or a biological valve. (Chapter 9.7)

Valvular heart disease (văl′-vyū-lăr härt dĭ-zēz′): A condition in which one or more of the heart’s valves do not function properly, affecting blood flow within the heart. (Chapter 9.6)

Valvuloplasty (val-VŪ-lō-plas-tē): A procedure to repair a narrowed heart valve. (Chapter 9.7)

Varicose veins (VAR-i-kōs VĀNZ): Enlarged, swollen, and twisting veins, often appearing blue or dark purple as a result of faulty valves in the veins. (Chapter 9.6)

Veins (VĀNZ): Blood vessels that return blood to the heart, including the inferior vena cava and superior vena cava. (Chapter 9.4)

Ventricular fibrillation (ven-TRĬK-yū-lăr fĭb-rĭ-LĀ-shŏn) (V Fib): A life-threatening heart rhythm where the ventricles quiver, instead of contracting, resulting in no cardiac output. (Chapter 9.6)

Ventricular septal defect (ven-TRĬK-yū-lăr SĔP-tăl dĭ-FĔKT): A congenital heart defect where an opening exists in the septum between the left and right ventricles. (Chapter 9.6)

Ventricular tachycardia (ven-TRĬK-yū-lăr tak-ĭ-KAR-dē-ă) (V Tach): A life-threatening rapid heart rhythm that originates from the ventricles. (Chapter 9.6)

Venules (VEN-yoolz): Small veins that receive blood from capillaries and transport it to larger veins. (Chapter 9.4)