Cardiology Vocabulary

Question 1

aneurysm

Answer 1

Localized widening of artery due to weakness in arterial wall;

Question 2

angina pectoris

Answer 2

Severe chest pain caused by myocardial ischemia

Question 3

arrhythmia

Answer 3

Irregular heart beat

Question 4

auscultation

Answer 4

Listening to sounds within body, such as heart or lungs, by using stethoscope

Question 5

bacterial endocarditis

Answer 5

Inflammation of inner lining of heart (the endocardium) caused by bacteria;

Question 6

blood pressure

Answer 6

Measurement of pressure exerted by blood against walls of blood vessel

Question 7

bradycardia

Answer 7

Abnormally slow heart rate below 60 beats per minute

Question 8

cardiac arrest

Answer 8

Complete stoppage of all heart activity, both electrical signals and muscle contractions

Question 9

cardiac catheterization

Answer 9

Passage of thing tube through veins or arteries leading into heart;

Question 10

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Answer 10

Applying external compressions to rib cage in order to maintain blood flow and air movement in and out of lungs during cardiac and respiratory arrest

Question 11

congenital

Answer 11

born with

Question 12

congestive heart failure

Answer 12

Condition that develops when heart muscle is not able to pump blood forcefully enough, reducing blood flow to body;

Question 13

coronary artery bypass graft

Answer 13

Open-heart surgery in which blood vessel, often leg vein, is grafted to route blood around occluded coronary artery

Question 14

coronary artery disease

Answer 14

Chronic heart disease caused by arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis of coronary arteries;

Question 15

deep vein thrombosis

Answer 15

Formation of blood clots in deep veins; usually occurs in legs;

Question 16

defibrillation

Answer 16

Using instrument called defibrillator to give electrical shock to heart for purpose of converting arrhythmia back to normal heart beat;

Question 17

electrocardiography

Answer 17

Diagnostic procedure that records electrical activity of the heart;

Question 18

fibrillation

Answer 18

Abnormal quivering or contractions of heart fibers;

Question 19

heart murmur

Answer 19

Abnormal heart sound such as soft blowing sound or harsh click;

Question 20

heart transplantation

Answer 20

Replacement of diseased or malfunctioning heart with donor’s heart

Question 21

hypertension

Answer 21

Blood pressure above normal range; 140/90

Question 22

hypotension

Answer 22

Decrease in blood pressure;

Question 23

infarct

Answer 23

Area of tissue necrosis that develops from ischemia

Question 24

myocardial infarction

Answer 24

Infarct of heart muscle caused by occlusion of one or more of coronary arteries;

Question 25

myocardial ischemia

Answer 25

Loss of blood supply to heart muscle tissue of myocardium due to occlusion of coronary artery;

Question 26

occlusion

Answer 26

Blockage of blood vessel or other hollow structure;

Question 27

pacemaker

Answer 27

Electrical device that artificially stimulates contraction of heart muscle;

Question 28

sphygmomanometer

Answer 28

Instrument for measuring blood pressure

Question 29

stent

Answer 29

Stainless steel tube placed within blood vessel or duct to widen lumen;

Question 30

stress test

Answer 30

Method for evaluating cardiovascular fitness;

Question 31

tachycardia

Answer 31

Abnormally fast heart rate more than 100 beats per minute

Question 32

varicose veins

Answer 32

Swollen and distended veins, most commonly in legs

Question 33

BP

Answer 33

blood pressure

Question 34

cath

Answer 34

catheterization

Question 35

CHD

Answer 35

congestive heart disease

Question 36

CHF

Answer 36

congestive heart failure

Question 37

CPR

Answer 37

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Question 38

EKG

Answer 38

electrocardiogram

Question 39

ICU

Answer 39

intensive care unit