Chapter 14 - Cardiovascular Emergencies | Vital Vocabulary Flashcards
Term used to describe a group of symptoms caused by myocardial ischemia; includes angina and myocardial infarction
Acute Coronary Syndrome
A heart attack; death of heart muscle following obstruction of blood flow to it. Acute means “new” or “happening right now”
Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)
Transient (short-lived) chest discomfort caused by partial or temporary blockage of blood flow to heart muscle
Angina Pectoris
Front surface of body; side facing you in standard anatomic position
Anterior
Main artery, which receives blood from the left ventricle and delivers it to all other arteries that carry blood to the tissues of the body
Aorta
A weakness in the wall of the aorta that makes it susceptible to rupture
Aortic Aneurysm
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
Aortic Valve
Irregular or abnormal heart rhythm
Arrhythmia
Complete absence of heart electrical activity
Asystole
Disorder in which cholesterol and calcium build up inside walls of blood vessels, eventually leading to partial or complete blockage of blood flow
Atherosclerosis
One of two (right & left) upper chambers of the heart. Right atrium receives blood from the vena cava and delivers it the right ventricle. Left atrium receives blood from the pulmonary veins and delivers it to the left ventricle
Atrium
Ability of cardiac muscle cells to contract without stimulation from nervous system
Automaticity
Part of nervous system that controls involuntary activities of the body such as heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion
Autonomic Nervous System
Slow heart rate, less than 60 beats/min
Bradycardia
State in which the heart fails to generate effective and detectable blood flow; pulses are not palpable in cardiac arrest, even if muscular and electrical activity continues in the heart
Cardiac Arrest
State in which not enough oxygen is delivered to the tissues of the body, caused by low output of blood from heart
Cardiogenic Shock