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