chapter 5 the cardiovascular system Flashcards
ACE Inhibitor
(angiotensin-converting enzyme)
a medication that blocks the action of the enzyme that causes the blood vessels to contract, resulting in hypertension. When this enzyme is blocked, the blood vessels can dilate (enlarge), reducing blood pressure.
anemia
a lower-than-normal number of erythrocytes in the blood causing fatigue and shortness of breath.
aneurysm
a localized weak spot or balloon-like enlargement of the wall of an artery.
angina
a condition in which severe episodes of chest pain occur due to inadequate blood flow to the myocardium.
angioplasty
the technique of mechanically widening a narrowed or obstructed
blood vessel
anticoagulant
a medication that slows coagulation and prevents new clots from forming.
aplastic anemia
a type of anemia characterized by an absence of all formed blood elements caused by the failure of blood cell production in the bone marrow
arrhythmia
the loss of the normal rhythm of the heartbeat.
atherectomy
the surgical removal of plaque buildup from the interior of an artery
atherosclerosis
a hardening and narrowing of the arteries caused by a buildup of cholesterol plaque on the interior walls of the arteries
atrial fibrillation
also known as A-fib, is the most common type of tachycardia. It occurs when the normal rhythmic contractions of the atria are replaced by rapid, uncontrolled twitching of the muscular heart wall.
automated external defibrillator (AED)
a tool designed for use by nonprofessionals in emergency situations when defibrillation is required. This piece of equipment automatically samples the electrical rhythms of the heart and, if necessary, externally shocks the heart to restore a normal cardiac
rhythm.
beta-blocker
reduces the workload of the heart by slowing the rate of the heartbeat. They are commonly
prescribed to lower blood pressure, relieve angina, or
treat heart failure.
bradycardia
an abnormally slow resting heart rate
cardiac arrest
an event in which the heart abruptly stops beating or develops an arrhythmia that prevents it from pumping blood effectively.
cardiac catheterization
is a diagnostic and treatment procedure in which a catheter is passed into a vein or artery and then guided into the heart. A contrast dye injected through the catheter during angiography
shows any disruptions in blood flow, and angioplasty can then be performed via the catheter.
cardiomyopathy
the term used to describe all diseases of the heart muscle
carotid endarterectomy
the surgical removal of the lining of a 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
a condition in which venous circulation is inadequate due to partial vein blockage or to the leakage of venous valves.
coronary artery disease
atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries that reduces the blood supply to the heart muscle. This creates an insufficient supply of oxygen that can cause angina, a myocardial infarction, or death.
coronary thrombosis
damage to the heart muscle caused by a thrombus blocking a coronary artery
defibrillation
the emergency use of electrical shock to restore the heart’s normal rhythm
diuretic
administered to stimulate the kidneys to increase the secretion of urine to rid the body of excess sodium and water.
electrocardiogram
(EKG or ECG)
a record of the electrical activity of the myocardium
embolism
the sudden blockage of a blood vessel by an embolus
embolus
a foreign object, such as a 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, mature red blood cells produced
by the red bone marrow
hemoglobin
the oxygen-carrying blood protein pigment of the erythrocytes
hemolytic anemia
characterized by an inadequate number of circulating red blood cells due to the premature destruction of red blood cells by the spleen
hemorrhage
the loss of a large amount
of blood in a short time
hemostasis
to stop or control bleeding
leukemia
a type of cancer characterized by a progressive increase in the number of abnormal leukocytes found in blood-forming tissues, other organs, and in the circulating blood
leukocytes
also known as white blood cells, the blood cells involved in defending the body against infective organisms and foreign substances
leukopenia
a decrease in the number of disease-fighting white blood cells circulating in the blood
megaloblastic anemia
is a blood disorder characterized by anemia in which the red blood cells are larger than normal
mitral valve prolapse
the abnormal protrusion of a heart valve that results in the inability of the valve to close completely.
myelodysplastic syndrome
a type of cancer in which there is insufficient production of one or more types of blood cells due to dysfunction of the bone marrow.
myocardial infarction
commonly known as a heart attack, is the occlusion (blockage) of one or more coronary arteries caused by plaque buildup.
orthostatic hypotension
also known as postural hypotension, 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, the double-walled membranous
sac that encloses the heart
pernicious anemia
caused by a lack of the protein intrinsic factor that helps the body absorb vitamin B12 from the gastrointestinal tract.
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.
sepsis
also known as septicemia, a potentially life-threatening infection that results from bacteria or other infectious organisms entering the
bloodstream.
sickle cell anemia
a serious genetic disorder that
causes abnormal hemoglobin, resulting in some red blood cells assuming an abnormal sickle shape.
tachycardia
an abnormally rapid resting heart rate
temporal arteritis
sometimes called giant cell arteritis, caused by inflammation of the temporal arteries supplying blood to the head and brain.
thallium stress test
a nuclear imaging test performed to evaluate how well blood flows through the coronary arteries of the heart muscle during exercise by injecting a small amount of thallium into the bloodstream.
thrombocytopenia
a condition in which there is an abnormally small number of platelets (thrombocytes) circulating
in the blood
thrombolytic
also known as a clot-busting drug, a medication that 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
transfusion reaction
a serious and potentially fatal complication of a blood transfusion in which a severe immune response occurs because the patient’s blood and the donated blood do not match.
varicose veins
abnormally swollen veins that usually occur in the superficial veins of the legs. This condition occurs when the valves in these veins do not function properly, so blood pools in the veins, causing them to enlarge.
venous thromboembolism
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. This
condition is potentially fatal because the heart is beating
so rapidly that it is unable to adequately pump blood
through the body.
