Ablation
The removal or destruction of a body part or tissue or its function. Ablation may be performed by surgery, hormones, drugs, radiofrequency, heat, or other methods.
Aneurysm
Weakening of the wall of a blood vessel, causing it to thin and balloon out, and possibly eventually burst, resulting in internal bleeding.
Angina pectoris
Chest pain. It may be a symptom of coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction.
Angiogram
An x-ray or computer image (CT scan or MRI) of the blood vessels and blood flow in the body. A dye may be injected through a catheter (small tube) into an artery or vein to make the blood vessels easier to see.
Antihypertensives
A class of medications used to treat high blood pressure.
Arrhythmia
A deviation from the normal pattern of impulse conduction and contraction of the heart.
Asymptomatic
Having no signs or symptoms of disease.
Atherosclerosis
A hardening of the arteries that involves the accumulation of plaque.
Auscultation
Listening to the heart using a stethoscope.
Atrioventricular (AV)
The area of the heart where the atria and ventricles meet.
Atrioventricular (AV) valves
Mitral (bicuspid) valve that allows blood to flow from left atrium to left ventricle and tricuspid valve that allows blood to flow from right atrium to right ventricle.
Bradycardia
A condition in which the heart beats slower than 50 beats per minute.
Cardiac
Having to do with the heart.
Cardiac troponin
The regulatory protein for muscle contraction.
Cardiogenic
Originating from the heart.
Cardiologist
A physician who studies and treats diseases of the heart.
Cardiology
The study of the heart.
Cardiomegaly
Enlarged heart.
Cardiomyopathy
Disease of the heart muscle.
Compliance
The ability of the blood vessels to dilate and constrict as needed.
Computerized tomography (CT)
A noninvasive imaging technique that uses computers to analyze several cross-sectional X-rays in order to reveal minute details about structures in the body.
Congenital
Present at birth.
Creatine kinase MB
An enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of creatine to phosphocreatine, consuming ATP.
Cyanosis
A condition in which the oxygen supply is restricted, causing the skin to look blue.
Diabetes mellitus
A disease in which the body does not control the amount of glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood and the kidneys make a large amount of urine. This disease occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or does not use it the way it should.
Diaphoresis
Sweating.
Diastole
Period of time when the heart muscle is relaxed and the chambers fill with blood.
Ductus arteriosus
A temporary connection between pulmonary trunk and aorta in the fetal heart.
Dyspnea
Difficulty breathing.
Echocardiogram
A computer picture of the heart created by bouncing high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) off internal tissues or organs of the chest.
Echocardiography
A procedure that uses high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) to look at tissues and organs inside the chest.
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
The record of the heart’s function produced by the electrocardiograph.
Electrocardiograph
The instrument that generates an electrocardiogram (ECG); 10 electrodes are placed in standard locations on the patient’s skin to record heart function.
Electrocardiography
The science of recording the electrical activity of the heart.
Endocarditis
A condition in which the tissues lining the inside of the heart and the heart valves become inflamed.
Foramen ovale
An opening between right and left atria, which is normal in the fetal heart.
Great vessels
Include the superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, aorta and pulmonary trunk.
Heart murmur
An abnormal heart sound.
Heart rate
The number of times the heart beats within a certain time period, usually a minute.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Often referred to as “good” cholesterol.
Hypercholesterolemia
Higher than normal levels of cholesterol in the blood.
Hyperlipidemia
Excessive fat in the blood
Hypertension
Abnormally high blood pressure.
Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD)
A small device placed by surgery in the chest or abdomen that is used to correct a heartbeat that is abnormal. Wires are passed through a vein to connect the device to the heart. When it detects abnormal heartbeats, it sends an electrical shock to the heart to restore the heartbeat to normal.
Inferior vena cava
One of the two largest veins in the body. It carries deoxygenated blood from the torso and legs back to the heart.
Interatrial septum
The wall separating the right and left atria.
Interventricular septum
The wall of myocardium that separates the right and left ventricles.
Ischemia
Lack of blood flow to body tissues.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
Often referred to as ‘bad’ cholesterol.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body.
Mitral valve
Located at the opening between the left atrium and left ventricle; also known as the bicuspid valve.
Myocardial infarction (MI)
Heart attack, caused by lack of blood flow and oxygen to the heart.
Myocarditis
A rare condition in which the heart muscle becomes thick and inflamed and may also become weak.
Occlusion
A blockage.
Pacemaker
An electronic device that is implanted in the body to monitor heart rate and rhythm. It gives the heart electrical stimulation when it does not beat normally.
Palpitations
A rapid or irregular heartbeat that a person can feel.
Pericardial fluid
Watery fluid produced in the serous and visceral pericardium surrounding the surface of the heart.
Pericarditis
Inflammation of the (sac) surrounding the heart.
Pericardiocentesis
Surgical puncture to aspirate fluid from the (sac) surrounding the heart.
Plaque
A fatty material including cholesterol, connective tissue, white blood cells, and some smooth muscle cells.
Polycythemia
A rare disorder in which the bone marrow produces an abnormally large amount of blood cells.
Pulmonary trunk
The very large artery referred to as a trunk, a term indicating that the vessel gives rise to several smaller arteries.
Roots of the great vessels
The part of each great vessel (aorta, pulmonary trunk, inferior vena cava, superior vena cava) that connects to the base of the heart.
Serous membrane
One of the thin membranes that cover the walls and organs in the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.
Sinus rhythm
The normal electrical pattern followed by contraction of the heart.
Sphygmomanometer
A blood pressure cuff attached to a measuring device.
Stethoscope
An instrument used to hear sounds produced by the heart, lungs, or other parts of the body.
Superior vena cava
One of two large veins in the body, which carries deoxygenated blood from the head and upper extremities back to the heart.
Syncope
Fainting.
Systole
Period of time when the heart muscle is contracting
Tachycardia
A condition in which the resting rate is above 100 bpm.
Valvuloplasty
The widening of a stenosed heart valve using a balloon catheter.