Ch. 11 Cardiovascular Vocabulary

Question 1

acute coronary syndromes

ACSs

Answer 1

unstable angina and myocardial infarction, which are consequences of plaque rupture in coronary arteries

Question 2

angina (pectoris)

Answer 2

chest pain resulting from myocardial ischemia. Stable angina occurs predictably with exertion; unstable angina is chest pain that occurs more often and with less exertion

Question 3

angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor

Answer 3

antihypertensive drug that blocks the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, causing blood vessels to dilate.
Prevents MI, CHF, stroke, and death.

Question 4

auscultation

Answer 4

listening for sounds in blood vessels or other body structures, typically using a stethoscope

Question 5

beta-blocker

Answer 5

drug used to treat angina, hypertension, and arrhythmias. It blocks the action of epinephrine (adrenaline) at receptor sites on cells, slowing the heartbeat and reducing the workload on the heart

Question 6

biventricular pacemaker

Answer 6

device enabling ventricles to beat together (in synchrony) so that more blood is pumped out of the heart

Question 7

bruit

Answer 7

abnormal blowing or swishing sound heard during auscultation of an artery or organ

Question 8

calcium channel blocker

Answer 8

drug used to treat angina and hypertension. Dilates blood vessels by blocking the influx of calcium into muscle cells lining vessels

Question 9

cardiac arrest

Answer 9

sudden, unexpected stoppage of heart action, often leading to cardiac death

Question 10

cardiac tamponade

Answer 10

pressure on the heart caused by fluid in the pericardial space

Question 11

claudication

Answer 11

pain, tension, and weakness in the leg after walking has begun, but absence of pain at rest

Question 12

digoxin

Answer 12

drug that treats arrhythmias and strengthens the heartbeat

Question 13

embolus

plural: emboli

Answer 13

clot or other substance that travels to a distant location and suddenly blocks a blood vessel

Question 14

infarction

Answer 14

area of dead tissue

Question 15

nitrates

Answer 15

drugs used in the treatment of angina. Dilate blood vessels, increasing blood flow and oxygen to the myocardial tissue

Question 16

nitroglycerine

Answer 16

nitrate drug used in the treatment of angina

Question 17

occlusion

Answer 17

closure of blood vessel due to blockage

Question 18

palpitations

Answer 18

uncomfortable sensations in the chest related to cardiac arrhythmias , such as PVCs

Question 19

patent

Answer 19

open

Question 20

pericardial friction rub

Answer 20

scraping or grating noise heard on auscultation of the heart; suggestive of pericarditis

Question 21

petechiae

Answer 21

small, pinpoint hemorrhages

Question 22

statins

Answer 22

drugs used to lower cholesterol in the blood stream

Question 23

thrill

Answer 23

vibration felt over an area of turmoil in blood flow (as a blocked artery)

Question 24

vegetations

Answer 24

clumps of platelets, clotting proteins, microorganisms, and red blood cells on diseased heart valves