Heart Dictionary
From angina to triglycerides, the diagnosis of a heart condition often brings a
host of new medical terminology to both survivors and their loved ones. Knowing
some common heart-related terms will help you have more productive doctor visits
and make smarter health care decisions.
Chest pain due to an inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart muscle. The term angina
is now used almost exclusively to denote angina pectoris, the medical term for chest
pain or discomfort that is most often due to coronary heart disease.
Stable angina refers to episodes of chest discomfort that are usually predictable,
and which occur on exertion or under mental or emotional stress. Unstable angina
refers to episodes of chest discomfort that are unpredictable and usually occur
while at rest.
A procedure with a balloon-tipped catheter to enlarge a narrowing in a coronary
artery. (Also known as PCTA, or Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty.)
1. Counteracting high blood pressure.
2. An agent that reduces high blood pressure.
An agent used to prevent or interfere with the formation of a thrombus (a blood
clot in a blood vessel or within the heart).
Commonly called clogged arteries, it is caused by progressive buildup of plaque that can obstruct
blood flow in arteries or rupture and cause a clot which can cause blockages. Smoking, high blood
pressure, high levels of “bad’’ or LDL cholesterol, diabetes and family history all increase risk
for clogged arteries.
A semi-solidified mass of blood, either in or out of the body.
The pressure of the blood on the walls of the arteries, produced primarily by contraction
of the heart muscle. Its measurement is recorded as two numbers: the first (systolic
pressure) is measured after the heart contracts and is highest; the second (diastolic
pressure) is measured before the heart contracts and is lowest.
An index for relating a person's body weight to his or her height. The body mass
index (BMI) is a person's weight in kilograms (kg) divided by the person's height
in meters (m) squared.
A general diagnostic term for disease of the heart muscle (myocardium).
Pertaining to the heart and blood vessels.
A surgical procedure designed to clean out material blocking the carotid artery,
a major artery in the neck that supplies blood to the brain. The aim of the procedure
is to restore normal blood flow to the brain, thereby preventing a stroke.
Pertaining to the blood vessels of the cerebrum, or brain.
A fatlike substance that is a building block of the outer layer of cells (cell membranes).
It is essential to the formation of bile acids, cell membranes, vitamin D and certain
hormones. Cholesterol is not dissolved in the blood, but is transported in the bloodstream
as water-soluble molecules known as lipoproteins. The lipoproteins are characterized
by their density: high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL).
Inability of the heart to pump blood with normal efficiency. When this happens,
the heart is unable to supply enough blood to the body's other organs such as the
brain, liver and kidneys. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, pooling of fluid
in the legs and feet, and swelling and enlargement of the heart.
A surgical procedure whereby a new route is created around plaque within a coronary
artery, using part of a vein as a graft. The procedure permits increased blood flow
to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle.
A condition that begins when hard cholesterol substances (plaques) are deposited
within a coronary artery. The plaques in the coronary arteries can rupture and cause
the formation of a clot, which can obstruct the flow of blood to the heart muscle,
producing symptoms and signs of CHD that may include chest pain (angina), heart
attack or sudden death due to a fatal disturbance of the heart rhythm. Also known
as coronary artery disease (CAD).
A plasma protein that increases in the blood in the presence of inflammation from
certain conditions, including coronary heart disease.
When used alone, the term refers to diabetes mellitus, a group of metabolic diseases
characterized by high blood sugar, resulting from defects in the secretion and/or
action of insulin. It occurs in two major forms: type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes
mellitus and type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.
The minimum blood pressure, measured before the heart contracts. Usually the second
number recorded in a blood pressure reading.
A recording of the electrical activity of the heart. It is a simple, non-invasive
procedure whereby electrodes are placed on the skin of the chest and connected to
a machine that, when turned on, measures electrical activity all over around the
heart. An example of its clinical use is in the initial diagnosis of a heart attack,
which is usually made by a combination of clinical symptoms and characteristic EKG
changes; the EKG can detect areas of muscle ischemia (muscle deprived of oxygen)
and/or dead tissue in the heart.
An occurrence of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, which refers to the stomach
and intestines.
Death of the heart muscle due to the loss of blood supply, usually caused by a complete
blockage of a coronary artery, one of the arteries that supplies blood to the heart
muscle. Death of the heart muscle, in turn, causes chest pain and electrical instability
of the heart muscle tissue. Also known as myocardial infarction (MI).
Rupture of a blood vessel in or near the brain. This type of stroke accounts for
20% of all strokes that occur. There are two types of hemorrhagic stroke: subarachnoid
hemorrhage, which occurs when a blood vessel on the surface of the brain ruptures
and bleeds into the space between the brain and skull; and intracerebral hemorrhage,
which occurs when a blood vessel bleeds into the cerebrum, the main portion of the
brain.
A repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg - a systolic pressure
above 140 with a diastolic pressure above 90. Also known as hypertension.
A fat-like substance that transports cholesterol from the tissues of the body to
the liver so it can be excreted in the bile. HDL is the so-called "good cholesterol";
the higher the HDL cholesterol level, the lower the risk of coronary heart disease
(CHD).
A type of stroke caused by blockage of a blood vessel in the brain. This type of
stroke accounts for 80% of all strokes.
A fat-like substance that transports cholesterol from the liver to the tissues of
the body. LDL is the so-called "bad" cholesterol; elevated LDL levels
are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).
The medical term for heart attack. It refers to changes that occur in the heart
muscle (myocardium) due to the sudden deprivation of circulating blood. The main
change is necrosis (death) of myocardial tissue.
The state of being well above one's normal weight. Traditionally defined as being
more than 20% above one's ideal weight (based on a person's height, age, sex and
build), obesity has been more precisely defined by the National Institutes of Health
as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above. Obesity is a significant contributor
to and increases the risk of a number of diseases including diabetes, high blood
pressure, stroke, heart attack and congestive heart failure.
Dead cells, cell debris, fatty acids, cholesterol and calcium that builds up
in the walls of blood vessels, restricting the flow of blood.
An agent/therapy that prevents or interferes with the formation of blood clots in
blood vessels.
A fat containing polyunsaturated (a term used to denote more than one unsaturated
bond - that is, more than one place where hydrogen can be added to the molecule)
fatty acids, molecules derived from animal and vegetable fats, and oils. Unlike
saturated fats, polyunsaturated fats are considered beneficial in that they lower
cholesterol.
Something that increases a person's chances of developing a disease.
Forces from the outside world impinging on the individual. Stress releases powerful
neurochemicals and hormones that prepare the individual for action. If no action
is taken, the stress response can contribute to health problems such as depression,
high blood pressure, or heart attack.
Any of various tests that assess cardiovascular health and function after application
of a stress to the heart, usually exercise but sometimes others such as atrial pacing
(regulation of the heartbeat by means of an electrode inserted in the atrium of
the heart) or specific drugs. In an exercise cardiac stress test (ECST), the patient
exercises on a treadmill according to a standardized protocol, with progressive
increases in the speed and elevation of the treadmill (typically changing at three-minute
intervals). During the ECST, the patient's electrocardiogram (EKG), heart rate,
heart rhythm, and blood pressure are continuously monitored. If a coronary arterial
blockage results in decreased blood flow to a part of the heart during exercise,
certain changes may be observed in the EKG, as well as in the response of the heart
rate and blood pressure.
The sudden death of some brain cells due to a lack of oxygen when the blood flow
to the brain is impaired by blockage (ischemic stroke) or rupture of an artery to
the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). A medical emergency, stroke is also called a cerebrovascular
accident (CVA). Stroke symptoms depend on the area of the brain affected. The most
common symptom is weakness or paralysis of one side of the body, with partial or
complete loss of voluntary movement or sensation in a leg or arm; other symptoms
can include speech problems, confusion, weak facial muscles, numbness or tingling.
A stroke involving the base of the brain can affect balance, vision, swallowing
and breathing, and may even cause unconsciousness.
The maximum blood pressure, measured after the heart contracts. Usually the first
number recorded in a blood pressure reading.
A neurological event with the signs and symptoms of a stroke, which go away within
a short period of time. Also known as a mini-stroke, a TIA is due to a temporary
lack of adequate blood and oxygen (ischemia) to the brain. This is often caused
by the narrowing (or, less often, ulceration) of the carotid arteries (the major
arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain). TIAs typically last from 2
to 30 minutes and can produce problems with vision, dizziness, weakness or trouble
speaking. If not treated, a TIA carries a high risk of a major stroke in the near
future; people who have a TIA have a 25% risk of stroke or other serious complication
within 90 days.
An unhealthy substance, also known as trans fatty acid, made through the chemical
process of hydrogenation of oils. Hydrogenation solidifies liquid oils and increases
the shelf life and the flavor stability of oils and foods that contain them. Trans
fats drive up levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol, which increases the risk
of heart attack and stroke.
The major form of fat. A triglyceride consists of three molecules of fatty acid
combined with a molecule of the alcohol glycerol. Triglycerides serve as the backbone
of many types of lipids (fats). Triglycerides come from foods and are also produced
by the body.
