13 - Circulation and Cardiac Emergencies (VOCAB)

Question 1

Term that describes a range of clinical conditions, including unstable angina, that are due to insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle resulting from coronary heart disease (CHD).

Answer 1

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

Question 2

An episode of chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.

Answer 2

Acute myocardial ischemia

Question 3

Pain in the chest that comes and goes at different times; caused by a lack of oxygen reaching the heart; can be stable (occurring under exertion or stress) or unstable (occurring at rest, without reason).

Answer 3

Angina pectoris

Question 4

Disturbance in the regular rhythmic beating of the heart.

Answer 4

Arrhythmia

Question 5

A condition where the heart has stopped generating electrical activity.

Answer 5

Asystole

Question 6

A condition in which deposits of plaque, including cholesterol guid up on the inner walls of arteries, causing them to harden and narrow, reducing the amount of blood that can flow through; develops gradually and can go undetected for many years.

Answer 6

Atherosclerosis

Question 7

Irregular and fast electrical discharges of the heart that lead to an irregular heartbeat; the most common type of abnormal cardiac rhythm.

Answer 7

Atrial fibrillation

Question 8

A cluster of cells in the center of the heart, between the atria and ventricles; serves as a relay to slow down the signal received from the sinoatrial (SA) node before it passes through to the ventricles.

Answer 8

Atrioventricular (AV) node

Question 9

A portable electronic device that analyzes the heart’s electrical rhythm and, if necessary, can deliver an electrical shock to a person in cardiac arrest.

Answer 9

Automated external defibrillator (AED)

Question 10

A condition in which the heart has stopped or beats too irregularly or weakly to pump blood effectively.

Answer 10

Cardiac arrest

Question 11

A set of four critical steps in responding to a cardiac emergency: early recognition and access to the EMS system, early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), really defibrillation and early advanced medical care.

Answer 11

Cardiac chain of survival

Question 12

A technique that combines chest compressions and ventilations to circulate blood containing oxygen to the brain and other vital organs for a person whose heart and breathing have stopped.

Answer 12

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Question 13

A disease affecting the heart and blood vessels

Answer 13

Cardiovascular disease

Question 14

A technique used in CPR, in which external pressure is placed on the chest to increase the level of pressure in the chest cavity and cause the blood to circulate through the arteries.

Answer 14

Chest compressions

Question 15

A fatty substance made by the liver and found in food containing animal or animal products; diets high in cholesterol contribute to the risk of heart disease.

Answer 15

Cholersterol

Question 16

Sudden cardiac arrest from a blunt, non-penetrating blow to the chest, of which the basis is ventricular fibrillation (V-fib) triggered by the chest wall impact immediately over the heart.

Answer 16

Commotio cordis

Question 17

A chronic condition in which the heart no longer pumps blood effectively throughout the body.

Answer 17

Congestive heart failure

Question 18

A disease in which cholesterol and plaque build up on the inner walls of the arteries and supply blood to the heart; also called coronary artery disease (CAD)

Answer 18

Coronary heart disease (CHD)

Question 19

An electrical shock that disrupts the electrical activity of the heart long enough to allow the heart to spontaneously develop an effective rhythm on its own.

Answer 19

Defibrillation

Question 20

A test that measures and records the electrical activity of the heart.

Answer 20

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

Question 21

A fist-sized muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body.

Answer 21

Heart

Question 22

Another term for high blood pressure

Answer 22

Hypertension

Question 23

A miniature version of an AED, implanted under the skin, that acts to automatically recognize and help correct abnormal heart rhythms.

Answer 23

Implantable cardioverter–defibrillator (ICD)

Question 24

The death of cardiac muscle tissue due to a sudden deprivation of circulating blood; also called a heart attack

Answer 24

Mycocardial infraction (MI)

Question 25

The normal, regular rhythm of the heart, set by the SA node in the right atrium of the heart.

Answer 25

Normal sinus rhythm (NSR)

Question 26

A device implanted under the skin, sometimes below the right collarbone, to help regulate heartbeat in someone with a weak heart, a heart that skips beat or one that beats too fast or too slow.

Answer 26

Pacemaker

Question 27

Conditions or behaviors that increase the chance that a person will develop a disease.

Answer 27

Risk factors

Question 28

A heart attack during which the patient has either no symptoms or very mild symptoms that the person does not associate with heart attacks; mild symptoms include indigestion or sweating.

Answer 28

Silent heart attack

Question 29

A cluster of cells in the right atrium that generates the electrical impulses that set the pace of the heart’s natural rhythm.

Answer 29

Sinoatrial (SA) node

Question 30

A condition where the heart’s pumping action stops abruptly, usually due to abnormal heart rhythms called arrhythmias, most commonly V-fib; unless an effective heart rhythm is restored, death follows within a matter of minutes.

Answer 30

Sudden cardiac arrest

Question 31

A patch on the skin that delivers medication; commonly contains nitroglycerin, nicotine or other medications; should be removed prior to defibrillation.

Answer 31

Transdermal medication patch

Question 32

A life-threatening heart rhythm in which the heart is in a state of totally disorganized electrical activity.

Answer 32

Ventricular fibrillation (V-fib)

Question 33

A life-threatening heart rhythm in which there is very rapid contraction of the ventricles.

Answer 33

Ventricular tachycardia (V-tach)