ACE inhibitor

Blocks the action of the enzyme that causes the blood vessels to contract
resulting in hypertension

Anemia
A lower than normal number of erythrocytes in the blood

Aneurysm
A localized weak spot, or balloon-like enlargement, of the wall of an artery

Aneurysmectomy
The surgical removal of an aneurysm

Aneurysmorrhaphy
The surgical suturing of an aneurysm

Angiitis
The inflammation of a blood or lymph vessel

Angina
A condition of episodes of severe chest pain due to inadequate blood flow
to the myocardium
Angiography
A radiographic study of the blood vessels after the injection of a contrast
medium

Angiostenosis
The abnormal narrowing of a blood vessel

Antiarrhythmic
A medication administered to control irregularities of the heartbeat

Anticoagulant
Slows coagulation and prevents new clots from forming

Antihypertensive
A medication administered to lower blood pressure

Aorta
The largest blood vessel in the body; the main trunk of the arterial system
and begins from the left ventricle of the heart
Aortic semilunar valve
Located between the left ventricle and the aorta

Aplastic anemia
Characterized by an absence of all formed blood elements caused by the
failure of blood cell production in the bone marrow

Arrhythmia
Describes an abnormality, or the loss of the normal rhythm, of the heart
Arteriectomy
The surgical removal of part of an artery

Arteries
Large blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart to all regions of
the body

Angioplasty
A procedure in which a small balloon is used to open a partially blocked
coronary artery by flattening the plaque deposit and stretching the lumen

Arterioles
The smaller, thinner branches of arteries that carry blood to the capillaries

Arteriosclerosis
Any of a group of diseases characterized by thickening and the loss of
elasticity of arterial walls
Artificial pacemaker
Used primarily as treatment for bradycardia or atrial fibrillation

Aspirin
Recommended to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke by slightly
reducing the ability of the blood to clot

Atherectomy
The surgical removal of plaque buildup from the interior of an artery
Atheroma
A deposit of plaque on or within the arterial wall

Atherosclerosis
Hardening and narrowing of the arteries caused by a buildup of cholesterol
plaque on the interior walls of the arteries

Atria
The two upper chambers of the heart
Atrial fibrillation
Occurs when the normal rhythmic contractions of the atria are replaced by
rapid irregular twitching of the muscular heart wall

Atrioventicular node
Located on the floor of the right atrium near the interatrial septum

Automated external defibrillator

Designed for use by nonprofessionals in emergency situations when
defibrillation is required
Bacterial endocarditis
An inflammation of the lining or valves of the heart caused by the presence
of bacteria in the bloodstream

Basophils
The least common type of WBC

Beta-blocker
Reduces the workload of the heart by slowing the rate of the heart beat

Blood
The fluid tissue in the body

Blood dyscrasia
Any pathologic condition of the cellular elements of the blood

Blood gases
Gases that are normally dissolved in the liquid portion of blood

Blood pressure
The measurement of the amount of systolic and diastolic pressure exerted
against the walls of the arteries

Blood types
Classified according to the presence, or absence, of certain antigens; four
major blood types are A, AB, B, and O

Bradycardia
An abnormally slow resting heart rate

Bundle of His (HISS)

A group of fibers located within the interventricular septum
Calcium channel blocker agents
Cause the heart and blood vessels to relax by decreasing the movement of
calcium into the cells of these structures

Capillaries
The smallest blood vessels in the body

Cardiac arrest
An event in which the heart abruptly stops or develops a very abnormal
arrhythmia that prevents it from pumping blood
Cardiac catheterization
A diagnostic procedure in which a catheter is passed into a vein or artery
and then guided into the heart

Cardiologist
A physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating abnormalities,
diseases, and disorders of the heart

Cardiomegaly
The abnormal enlargement of the heart

Cardiomyopathy
The term used to describe all diseases of the heart muscle

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
An emergency procedure for life support consisting of artificial respiration
and manual external cardiac compression
Cardiovascular
Pertaining to the heart and blood vessels

Cardiovascular system
Consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood

Carditis
An inflammation of the heart

Carotid arteries
The major arteries that carry blood upward to the head
Carotid endarterectomy
The surgical removal of the lining of a portion of a clogged carotid artery
leading to the brain

Cholesterol
A fatty substance that travels through the blood and is found in all parts of
the body

Cholesterol-lowering drugs
Used to combat hyperlipidemia by reducing the undesirable cholesterol
levels in the blood

Chronic venous insufficiency

A condition in which venous circulation is inadequate due to partial vein
blockage or leakage of venous valves

Congenital heart defects

Structural abnormalities caused by the failure of the heart to develop
normally before birth

Coronary arteries
Supply oxygen-rich blood to the myocardium

Coronary artery bypass graft

A piece of vein from the leg or chest is implanted on the heart to replace a
blocked coronary artery and to improve the flow of blood to the heart (AKA
bypass surgery)
Coronary artery disease
Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries that reduces the blood supply to
the
Heart muscle

Coronary thrombosis
Damage to the heart muscle caused by a thrombus blocking a coronary
artery

Coumadin
An anticoagulant administered to prevent blood clots from forming or
growing larger

Deep vein thrombosis

The condition of having a thrombus attached to the wall of a deep vein

Defibrillation
The use of electrical shock to restore the heart's normal rhythm
Diastolic pressure
Occurs when the ventricles are relaxed; the lowest pressure against the
walls of an artery

Digital subtraction
angiography
Combines angiography with computerized components to clarify the view of
the area of interest by removing the soft tissue and bones from the images

Digitalis
Strengthens the contraction of the heart muscle, slows the heart rate, and
helps eliminate fluid from body tissues

Diuretic
Administered to stimulate the kidneys to increase the secretion of urine to
rid the body of excess sodium and water

Duplex ultrasound
A diagnostic procedure to image the structures of the blood vessels and the
flow of blood through these vessels

Electrocardiogram
A record of the electrical activity of the myocardium

Electrodardiography
The noninvasive process of recording the electrical activity of the
myocardium
Embolism
The sudden blockage of a blood vessel by an embolus

Embolus
A foreign object, such as a blood clot, quantity of air or gas, or a bit of
tissue or tumor that is circulating in the blood

Endocarditis
An inflammation of the inner lining of the heart

Endocardium
The inner lining of the heart

Eosinophils
Destroy parasitic organisms and play a major role in allergic reactions

Epicardium
The external layer of the heart and the inner layer of the pericardium

Erythrocytes
Mature red blood cells produced by the red bone marrow (red blood cells –
RBC)

Fibrinogen
Clotting protein found in the plasma

Heart
A hollow, muscular organ located between the lungs

Heart failure
A chronic condition in which the heart is unable to pump out all of the blood
that it receives

Heart murmur
An abnormal sound heard when listening to the heart or neighboring large
blood vessels
Hemangioma
A benign tumor made up of newly formed blood vessels

He
matologist
A physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating abnormalities,
diseases, and disorders of the blood and blood-forming tissues

Hemochromatosis
A genetic disorder in which the intestines absorb too much iron

Hemoglobin
The iron-containing pigment of the erythrocytes

Hemolytic anemia
A condition of inadequate number of circulating red blood cells due to the
premature destruction of red blood cells by the spleen

Hemorrhage
The loss of a large amount of blood in a short time
Hemostasis
To stop or control bleeding

Holter monitor
A portable electrocardiograph that is worn by an ambulatory patient to
continuously monitor the heart rates and rhythms over a 24-hour period

Hyperlipidemia
The general term used to describe elevated levels of cholesterol and other
fatty substances in the blood

Hypertension
The elevation of arterial blood pressure to a level that is likely to cause
damage to the cardiovascular system

Hypo-perfusion
A deficiency of blood passing through an organ or body part

Hypotension
Lower than normal arterial blood pressure

Implantable cardiovertor defibrillator

A double action pacemaker

Iron-deficiency anemia
The most common form of anemia

Ischemia
A condition in which there is an insufficient oxygen supply due to a
restricted blood flow to a part of the body

Ischemic heart disease

A group of cardiac disabilities resulting from an insufficient supply of
oxygenated blood to the heart

Left atrium
Receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs through the four pulmonary
veins
Left ventricle
Receives oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium

Leukemia
A type of cancer characterized by a progressive increase in the number of
abnormal leukocytes found in blood forming tissues, other organs, and in
the circulating blood

Leukocytes
The blood cells involved in defending the body against infective organisms
and foreign substances (white blood cells – WBC)

Leukopenia
Describes any situation in which the total number of leukocytes in the
circulating blood is less than normal

Lymphocytes
Identify foreign substances and germs in the body and produce antibodies
that specifically target them

Megaloblastic anemia
A blood disorder characterized by anemia in which the red blood cells are
larger than normal

Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass

Procedure performed with the aid of a fiber optic camera through small
openings between the ribs

Mitral valve
Located between the left atrium and left ventricle
Monocytes
Provide immunological defenses against many infectious organisms

Myelodysplastic syndrome
A group of bone marrow disorders that are characterized by the insufficient
production of one or more types of blood cells due to dysfunction of the
bone marrow

Myocardial infarction
The occlusion of one or more coronary arteries caused by plaque buildup
(heart attack)

Myocarditis
An inflammation of the myocardium
Myocardium
The middle and thickest of the heart's three layers and consists of
specialized cardiac muscle tissue

Neutrophils
The most common type of WBC

Nitroglycerin
A vasodilator that is prescribed to prevent or relieve the pain of angina by
dilating the blood vessels to the heart

Orthostatic hypotension
Low blood pressure that occurs upon standing up

Palpitation
A pounding or racing heart with or without irregularity in rhythm

Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT)

An episode that begins and ends abruptly during which there are very rapid
and regular heartbeats those originate in the atrium

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

A procedure in which a small balloon on the end of a catheter is used to
open a partially blocked coronary artery by flattening the plaque deposit
and stretching the lumen (AKA angioplasty)

Pericarditis
An inflammation of the pericardium that causes an accumulation of fluid
within the pericardial sac

Pericardium
The double-walled membranous sac that encloses the heart

Peripheral arterial occlusive disease

An example of a peripheral vascular disease caused by atherosclerosis

Peripheral vascular disease

Refers to disorders of the blood vessels located outside the heart and brain
Pernicious anemia
Caused by a lack of the protein intrinsic factor that helps the body absorb
vitamin B-12 from the gastrointestinal tract

Phlebitis
The inflammation of a vein

Phlebography
A radiographic test that provides an image of the leg veins after a contrast
dye is injected

Plaque
A fatty deposit that is similar to the buildup of rust inside a pipe
Plasma
A straw-colored fluid that contains nutrients, hormones, and waste products

Plasmapheresis
The removal of whole blood from the body and separation of the blood's
cellular elements

Polyarteritis
A form of angiitis involving several medium and small arteries at the same
time

Polycythemia
An abnormal increase in the number of red cells in the blood due to excess
production of these cells by the bone marrow

Prothrombin
Clotting protein found in the plasma

Pulmonary arteries
Carry deoxygenated blood out of the right ventricle and into the lungs

Pulmonary circulation
The flow of blood only between the heart and lungs

Pulmonary semilunar valve

Located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery
Pulmonary veins
Carry the oxygenated blood from the lungs into the left atrium of the heart

Pulse
The rhythmic pressure against the walls of an artery caused by the
contraction of the heart

Purkinje fibers
Specialized conductive fibers located within the walls of the ventricles

Raynaud's phenomenon
A peripheral arterial occlusive disease in which intermittent attacks are
triggered by cold or stress
 Restenosis
Describes the condition when an artery that has been opened by
angioplasty closes again

Rh factor
Refers to the presence, or absence of the Rh antigen on red blood cells

Right atrium
Receives oxygen-poor blood from all tissues, except the lungs, through the
superior and inferior venae cavae

Right ventricle
Pumps the oxygen-poor blood through the pulmonary semilunar valve and
Into the pulmonary artery, which carries it to the lungs

Septicemia
A systemic condition caused by the spread of microorganisms and their
toxins via the circulating blood

Serum
Plasma fluid after the blood cells and the clotting proteins have been
removed

Sickle cell anemia

A genetic disorder that causes abnormal hemoglobin, resulting in some red
blood cells assuming an abnormal sickle shape
Sinoatrial node
Located in the posterior wall of the right atrium near the entrance of the
superior vena cava

Stent
A wire-mesh tube that is commonly placed after the artery has been
opened

Stress test
Performed to assess cardiovascular health and function during and after
Stress

Sudden cardiac death

Results if treatment is not provided within a few minutes

Systemic circulation
Includes the flow of blood to all parts of the body except the lungs

Systolic pressure
Occurs when the ventricles contract; the highest pressure against the walls
of an artery
Tachycardia
An abnormally rapid resting heart rate

Thalassemia
An inherited blood disorder that causes mild or severe anemia due to
reduced hemoglobin and few red blood cells than normal

Thallium stress test

Performed to evaluate how well blood flows through the coronary arteries
of the heart muscle during exercise

Thrombocytes
The smallest formed elements of the blood (platelets)

Thrombocytopenia
A condition in which there is an abnormally small number of platelets
circulating in the blood

Thrombocytosis
An abnormal increase in the number of platelets in the circulating blood

Thrombolytic
Dissolves or causes a thrombus to break up

Thrombosis
The abnormal condition of having a thrombus

Thrombotic occlusion
The blocking of an artery by a thrombus

Thrombus
A blood clot attached to the interior wall of an artery or vein

Tissue plasminogen activator

A thrombolytic that is administered to some patients having a heart attack
or stroke

Transfusion reaction
A serious, and potentially fatal, complication of a blood transfusion in which
a severe immune response occurs because the patient's blood and the
donated blood do not match

Tricuspid valve
Controls the opening between the right atrium and the right ventricle

Valvoplasty
The surgical repair or replacement of a heart valve

Valvular
prolapse
The abnormal protrusion of a heart valve that results in the inability of the
valve to close completely

Valvular stenosis
A condition in which there is narrowing, stiffening, thickening, or blockage
of one or more valves of the heart

Valvulitis
An inflammation of a heart valve

Varicose veins
Abnormally swollen veins, usually occurring in the superficial veins of the
legs
Vascular surgeon
A physician who specializes in the diagnosis, medical management, and
surgical treatment of disorders of the blood vessels

Vasoconstrictor
Causes blood vessels to narrow

Vasodilator
Causes blood vessels to expand

Veins
Form a low pressure collecting system to return oxygen-poor blood to the
heart

Venae cavae
The two largest veins in the body; return blood into the heart

Ventricles
The two lower chambers of the heart

Ventricular fibrillation
The rapid, irregular, and useless contractions of the ventricles

Ventricular tachycardia
A very rapid heartbeat that begins within the ventricles

Venules
The smallest veins that join to form the larger veins

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

Form of radiation used to create a picture of internal body structures on

film.