Cardiovascular Flashcards
adrenaline
a hormone secreted from the adrenal glands in times of stress
aldosterone
adrenal steroid hormone that acts on the renal tubules
aneurysms
a localised dilation of an artery
angina pectoris
thoracic pain caused most often by myocardial anorexia as a result of atherosclerosis or spasm of the coronary arteries
angiotensin
a polypeptide in the blood that causes vasoconstriction, increased blood pressure, and the release of aldosterone from the adrenal cortex
arrhythmia
abnormal heart rhythms
atheroma
the basic lesion of atherosclerosis, characterised by excessive accumulation of lipids in the wall of the aorta and major arteries
atherosclerosis
a systemic arterial disease characterised by an accumulation of lipids, fibrosis, and calcification of the arterial wall
atrial myxoma
a benign, pedunculated, gelatinous heart tumour that most often occurs in the left atrium
atrial septal defect
a congenital cardiac anomaly characterised by an abnormal opening between the atria
cardiac temponade
compression of the heart by blood in the pericardial cavity, usually presenting as a complication of a ruptured myocardial infarct or a dissection of the aorta at its root
cardiac transplantation
a surgical transplant procedure performed on patients with end-stage heart failure
congenital heart disease
a circulatory disturbance caused by cardiac pump failure
creatine kinase
an enzyme found in the blood and several organs. its concentration is typically elevated in serum after skeletal muscle or cardiac muscle injury
cyanosis
a bluish discolouration of the skin indicating a lack of oxygen
diabetes mellitus
a metabolic disease caused by a lack of insulin (type 1)or by tissue resistance to insulin (type II) that adversely affects the metabolism of glucose and results in hyperglycaemia
endocardial mural thrombus
a clot attached to the wall of the vessels of the innermost layer of the hearts chambers
endocarditis
an inflammation of the inner heart lining and cardiac valves, usually caused by bacteria
gangrene
a form of death of tissue, usually caused by loss of blood supply, bacterial invasion, and subsequent putrefaction
hyperlipidemia
an excess of lipids, including glycolipids, lipoproteins, and phospholipids in the plasma