Cardiovascular & Respiratory Flashcards
Atherosclerosis
a condition in which “plaque” builds up on the walls of the blood
vessels; worsened by a diet high in cholesterol
Coronary Artery
Disease (CAD)
a condition caused by atherosclerosis that reduces blood flow through
the coronary arteries (and thus oxygen delivery) to the heart muscle
Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)
a term used to describe sudden reduced blood flow to one or more
coronary arteries that can result in cardiac muscle death if left untreated.
Angina
chest pain caused by an inadequate blood supply to the heart muscle.
Unstable Angina
a condition in which blood flow and oxygen in one or more of the coronary arteries is partially blocked causing chest pain.
Myocardial Infarction (MI)
a condition in which blood flow and oxygen in one or more of the
coronary arteries is suddenly completely blocked. This results in heart
muscle death. (AKA – “heart attack”)
ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)
a sudden blockage of a coronary artery with EKG findings significant for ST segment elevation
Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI)
a sudden blockage of a coronary artery without EKG findings significant for ST segment elevation
Cardiac Dysrhythmia
an abnormality in the physiological rate or rhythm of the heart
Supraventricular
Tachycardia (SVT)
an abnormal heart rhythm arising from aberrant electrical activity in the
heart; originates at or above the AV node.
Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib)
an irregular and often very fast heart rate originating from abnormal
conduction in the atria.
Ventricular Tachycardia
an abnormal heart rhythm that arises from improper electrical
conduction in the ventricles.
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
a condition in which the heart cannot pump blood well enough to meet
the body’s needs resulting in build-up of fluid in the extremities and/or lungs
Hypertension (HTN)
high blood pressure
Hyperlipidemia
high lipid levels