Cardiovascular Flashcards
A-fib (Atrial Fibrillation)
Irregular beating of the atria. Can cause pooling of blood in the heart which can then lead to formation of a blood clot. Irregularly
irregular rhythm.
A-flutter (Atrial Flutter)
Well organized but overly-rapid beating of the atria.
Aneurysm
A localized widening of an artery or vein due to the vessel wall being
weakened.
Angina
Chest pain due to ischemia (lack of oxygen) of the heart muscle.
Arrhythmia
Irregular heartbeat.
Artery
Blood vessel which carries blood away from the heart to the body (oxygenated blood).
Bradycardia
Slow heart rate. Less than 60 beats per minute for the average adult. Physically fit individuals may have a
resting heart rate which is normally below 60 bpm.
EKG/ECG
Electrocardiogram
Measurement of the electrical activity of the heart.
Embolism
Obstruction of a blood vessel, typically by a blood clot or air bubble
Hypertension
Repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding or equal to a systolic pressure of 140 mmHg or a diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg.
Hypotension
Low blood pressure, systolic pressure less than 90 mmHg or a diastolic
pressure less than 60 mmHg.
MI (Myocardial
Infarction)
Death of cardiac muscle due to ischemia (a heart attack)
Murmur
Abnormal heart sound which is rated on a scale of 1-6.
Palpitations
A feeling or sensation of rapid, strong, or irregular heartbeat.
Pericarditis
Inflammation of the pericardium, the saclike membrane surrounding the heart.
PVC
Premature ventricular contraction, visible on an EKG.
Regular Rate
Heart rate which is between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
Regular Rhythm
The heart is in Normal Sinus Rhythm (NSR).
STEMI
ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction; a heart attack diagnosed when the
EKG shows ST segment elevation.
Stent
A small tube which is used to treat narrow or weak arteries. Used to treat
coronary artery disease.
SVT
Supraventricular Tachycardia. Rapid heartbeat which develops due to a
malfunction of the electrical system of the heart.
Tachycardia
Heart rate which is faster than normal, faster than 100 beats per minute
Thrombus
Blood clot within a blood vessel which is impeding blood flow.
Vein
Vessel carrying blood towards the heart.
V-fib (Ventricular
fibrillation)
Very rapid, uncoordinated fluttering contractions of the ventricles of the
heart, requires immediate electrical cardioversion.
