Chapter 5 Flashcards
Ace inhibitor
(angiotensin converting enzyme) blocks the action of the enzyme that causes the blood vessels to contract resulting in hypertension
Anemia
A disorder characterized by a lower than normal number of erythrocytes (red blood cells) in the blood
Aneurysm
A localized weak spot or balloon like enlargement of the walls of an artery
Angina
Also known as angina pectoris is a condition in which severe episodes of chest pain occur due to an inadequate blood flown to the myocardium
Angioplasty
The technique of mechanically widening the narrowed or obstructed blood vessel
Anticoagulant
Slows clothing and prevents new clots from forming
Aorta
The largest blood vessel in the body
Aortic stenosis
Also known as aortic valve stenosis, is a build up of calcium and fat deposits in the aortic valve, a condition most prevalent in adults over the age of 65.
Arrhythmia
The loss of the normal rythm of the heartbeat
Artherectomy
The surgical removal of the plaque build up from the interior of an artery
Atherosclerosis
Hardening and narrowing of the arteries caused by the build up of cholesterol plaque on the interior walls of the arteries
Atrial fibrillation
Also known as A-fib is the most common type of tachycardia
Automated external defibrillation
(AED) is designed to use by non professionally in emergency situations when defibrillation is required
Beta-blocker
Reduces of work load of the heart by blocking the release of stress harmones thus slowing the rate of rhe heartbeat
Bradycardia
An abnormally slow resting heart rate
Capillaries
Only one epithelial cell in thickness, are the smallest blood vessels in the body
Cardiac arrest
An event in which the heart absurdly stops beating or developing an arrhythmia that prevents it from pumping blood effortlessly
Cardiac catheterization
A diagnostic and treatment procedure in which a catheter is passed into a vine or artery and then guided into heart
Cardiomyopathy
The term used to describe all diseases of the heart muscle
Carotid endarterectomy
The surgical removal of the lining of portion of a clogged carotid artery leading to the brain
Cholesterol
A fatty substance that travels through the blood and is found in all parts of the body
Chronic venous insufficiency
(CVI) also known as venous insufficiency is a condition in which venous circulation is inadequate due to partial vien blockage or to the leakage of venous valves
Coronary artery disease
(CAD) also known as coronary heart disease (CHD) and ischemic heart disease is atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries that reduces the blood supply to the heart muscle
Coronary thrombosis
Damage to the heart muscle by a thrombus blocking a coronary artery
Defibrillation
The emergency use of electrical shock to restore the hearts normal rhythm
Diastole
The period of relaxation that follows as the chambers refill with blood this is also referred to as the diastolic phase
Diuretic
An anti hypertensive medication administered to increase urine output to get rid of the body of excess sodium and water
Electrocardiogram
(EKG) or (ECG) is a record of the electric activity of the myocardium
Electrophysiologist
A doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of the heart arrhythmias
Embolism
The sudden blockage of the blood vessel by an embolus
Embolus
A foreign object such as blood clot, a quantity of air or gas or a bit of tissue or tumor that is circulating in the blood
Endocarditis
An inflammation of the inner lining of the heart
Erythrocytes
Also known as red blood cells (RBCs) are mature red blood cells
Heart murmur
An abnormal blowing or clicking sound heard when listening to the heart or a neighboring large blood vessle
Hemoglobin
Oxygen carrying protein pigment of the erythrocytes
Hypertension
(HTN) commonly known as high blood pressure is the elevation of arterial blood pressure to a level that is likely to cause damage to the cardiovascular system
Hypoperfusion
A deficiency of blood passing through an organ or body part
ischemia
a condition in which there is an insufficient supply of oxygen in the tissues due to restricted blood flow to a part of the body.
long QT syndrome
(LQTS) is an inherited or medically acquired heart rhythm disorder that can cause fast, chaotic, and potentially dangerous arrhythmias.
mitral valve prolapse
(MVP) is the abnormal protrusion of a mitral valve that results in the inability of the valve to close completely.
myocardial infarction
(MI), commonly known as a heart attack, is the occlusion (blockage) of one or more coronary arteries cause by plaque buildup.
orthostatic hypotension
also known as postural hypotension, is low blood pressure that occurs upon standing up and remains lower than normal as long as the patient remains standing.
pericardium
also known as the pericardial sac, is the double-walled membranous sac that encloses the heart.
peripheral artery disease
(PAD), also known as peripheral arterial occlusive disease, is an example of a peripheral vascular disease that is caused by atherosclerosis.
phlebitis
the inflammation of a vein
Raynaud’s disease
a peripheral arterial occlusive disease in which intermittent attacks are triggered by cold temperatures or stress.
sinoatrial node
(SA) node is located in the posterior wall of the right atrium near the entrance of the superior vena cava.
systole
the period of contraction that the ventricles undergo while pumping blood into the aorta and the pulmonary artery. This is also referred to as the systolic phase.
tachycardia
an abnormally rapid resting heart rate.
telemetry nurse
specializes in the use of technology within a hospital unit to track vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rhythms, and oxygen levels.
temporal arteritis
sometimes called giant cell arteritis, is caused by inflammation of the temporal arteries supplying blood to the head and brain.
thallium stress test
(TST) is a nuclear imaging test performed by injecting a small amount of thallium into the bloodstream to evaluate how well blood flows through the coronary arteries of the heart muscle during exercise.
thrombolytic
also known as a clot-busting drug, dissolves or causes a thrombus to break up
thrombosis
the abnormal condition of having a thrombus.
thrombotic occlusion
the blocking of an artery by a thrombus.
thrombus
a blood clot attached to the interior wall of an artery or vein. The plural form is thrombi.
varicose veins
abnormally swollen veins that usually occur in the superficial veins of the legs.
venous thromboembolism
(VTE) is a blood clot that originates in a vein.
ventricular fibrillation
also known as V-fib, consists of rapid, irregular, and useless contractions of the ventricles.
ventricular tachycardia
also known as V-tach, is a very rapid heartbeat that begins within the ventricles.
Ischemia
