Cardiovascular

Question 1

A group of symptoms caused by myocardial ischemia; includes angina and myocardial infarction.

Answer 1

acute coronary syndrome

Question 2

A heart attack; death of heart muscle following obstruction of blood flow to it; in this context the attack is “new” or “happening right now.”

Answer 2

Acute myocardial infarction

Question 3

Transient (short-lived) chest discomfort caused by partial or temporary blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle; also called angina.

Answer 3

Angina pectoris

Question 4

A weakness in the wall of the aorta that makes it susceptible to rupture.

Answer 4

Aortic aneurysm

Question 5

The one-way valve that lies between the left ventricle and the aorta and keeps blood from flowing back into the left ventricle after the left ventricle ejects its blood into the aorta; one of four heart valves.

Answer 5

Aortic valve

Question 6

A tracing on an ECG that is the result of interference, such as patient movement, rather than the heart’s electrical activity.

Answer 6

Artifact

Question 7

The complete absence of all heart electrical activity.

Answer 7

Asystole

Question 8

The ability of cardiac muscle cells to contract without stimulation from the nervous system.

Answer 8

Automaticity

Question 9

When the heart fails to generate effective and detectable blood flow; pulses are not palpable, even if muscular and electrical activity continues in the heart.

Answer 9

Cardiac arrest

Question 10

A disorder in which the heart loses part of its ability to effectively pump blood, usually as a result of damage to the heart muscle and usually resulting in a backup of fluid into the lungs.

Answer 10

Congestive heart failure

Question 11

The blood vessels that carry blood and nutrients to the heart muscle.

Answer 11

Coronary arteries

Question 12

To shock a fibrillating (chaotically beating) heart with specialized electric current in an attempt to restore a normal, rhythmic beat.

Answer 12

Defibrillate

Question 13

Swelling in the part of the body closest to the ground, caused by collection of fluid in the tissues; a possible sign of congestive heart failure.

Answer 13

Dependent edema

Question 14

Widening of a tubular structure such as a coronary artery.

Answer 14

Dilation

Question 15

A condition in which the inner layers of an artery, such as the aorta, become separated, allowing blood (at high pressures) to flow between the layers.

Answer 15

Dissecting aneurysm

Question 16

An irregular or abnormal heart rhythm.

Answer 16

Dysrhythmia

Question 17

An emergency situation created by excessively high blood pressure, which can lead to serious complications such as stroke or aneurysm.

Answer 17

Hypertensive emergency

Question 18

Death of a body tissue, usually caused by interruption of its blood supply.

Answer 18

Infarction

Question 19

The inside diameter of an artery or other hollow structure.

Answer 19

Lumen

Question 20

The heart muscle.

Answer 20

Myocardium

Question 21

A blockage, usually of a tubular structure such as a blood vessel

Answer 21

Occlusion

Question 22

A blood clot that has formed within a blood vessel and is floating within the bloodstream

Answer 22

Thromboembolism

Question 23

Disorganized, ineffective quivering of the ventricles, resulting in no blood flow and a state of cardiac arrest

Answer 23

Ventricular fibrillation

Question 24

A rapid heart rhythm in which the electrical impulse begins in the ventricle (instead of the atrium), which may result in inadequate blood flow and eventually deteriorate into cardiac arrest

Answer 24

Ventricular tachycardia