key clinical terms

Question 1

A localized abnormal dilation of a blood vessel, usually an artery,
caused by weakness of the vessel wall; may eventually burst

Answer 1

ANEURYSM

Question 2

A feeling of constriction around the heart or pain that may radiate to
the left arm or shoulder, usually brought on by exertion; caused by
insufficient blood supply to the heart

Answer 2

ANGINA PECTORIS

Question 3

Any abnormality in the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat (literally
“without rhythm”; note doubled r). Also called dysrhythmia.

Answer 3

ARRYTHMIA

Question 4

The development of fatty, fibrous patches (plaques) in the lining of
arteries, causing narrowing of the lumen and hardening of the vessel
wall.

Answer 4

ATHEROSCLEROSIS

Question 5

A slow heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute

Answer 5

BRADYCARDIA

Question 6

Sudden damage to the brain resulting from reduction of blood flow.
Causes include atherosclerosis, embolism, thrombosis, or hemorrhage
from a ruptured aneurysm; commonly called stroke.

Answer 6

CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT (CVA)

Question 7

Enlargement of the ends of the fingers and toes caused by growth of
the soft tissue around the nailS

Answer 7

CLUBBING

Question 8

Bluish discoloration of the skin caused by lack of oxygen

Answer 8

CYANOSIS

Question 9

Thrombophlebitis involving the deep veins

Answer 9

DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS

Question 10

Profuse sweating

Answer 10

DIAPHORESIS

Question 11

An aneurysm in which blood enters the arterial wall and separates
the layers. Usually involves the aorta

Answer 11

DISSECTING ANEURYSM

Question 12

Disorder in serum lipid levels, which is an important factor in development
of atherosclerosis.

Answer 12

DYSLIPIDEMIA

Question 13

Difficult or labored breathing

Answer 13

DYSPNEA

Question 14

Swelling of body tissues caused by the presence of excess fluid.
Causes include cardiovascular disturbances, kidney failure, inflammation,
and malnutrition.

Answer 14

EDEMA

Question 15

Obstruction of a blood vessel by a blood clot or other matter carried
in the circulati

Answer 15

EMBOLISM

Question 16

A mass carried in the circulation. Usually a blood clot, but may also
be air, fat, bacteria, or other solid matter from within or from outside
the body.

Answer 16

EMBOLUS

Question 17

Spontaneous, quivering, and ineffectual contraction of muscle fibers,
as in the atria or the ventricles

Answer 17

FIBRILLATION

Question 18

An interference in the conduction system of the heart resulting in
arrhythmia

Answer 18

HEART BLOCK

Question 19

A condition caused by the inability of the heart to maintain adequate
circulation of blood

Answer 19

HEART FAILURE

Question 20

A varicose vein in the rectum

Answer 20

HEMORRHOID

Question 21

A condition of higher-than-normal blood pressure.

Answer 21

HYPERTENSION

Question 22

An area of localized necrosis (death) of tissue resulting from a blockage
or a narrowing of the artery that supplies the area

Answer 22

INFARCT

Question 23

Local deficiency of blood supply caused by obstruction of the circulation
(root hem/o)

Answer 23

ISCHEMIA

Question 24

An abnormal heart sound

Answer 24

MURMUR

Question 25

Localized necrosis (death) of cardiac muscle tissue resulting from blockage or narrowing of the coronary artery that supplies that area.

Answer 25

MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

Question 26

A closing off or obstruction, as of a vessel

Answer 26

OCCLUSION

Question 27

Persistence of the ductus arteriosus after birth. The ductus arteriosus is a vessel that connects the pulmonary artery to the descending aorta in the fetus to bypass the lungs.

Answer 27

PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS

Question 28

Inflammation of a vein

Answer 28

PHLEBITIS

Question 29

A patch. With regard to the cardiovascular system, a deposit of fatty material and other substances on a vessel wall that impedes blood flow and may block the vessel.

Answer 29

PLAQUE

Question 30

Damage to heart valves after infection with a type of streptococcus

Answer 30

RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE

Question 31

Circulatory failure resulting in inadequate supply of blood to the heart.

Answer 31

SHOCK

Question 32

Constriction or narrowing of an opening

Answer 32

STENOSIS

Question 33

A temporary loss of consciousness caused by inadequate blood flow to the brain; fainting

Answer 33

SYNCOPE

Question 34

An abnormally rapid heart rate, usually over 100 beats per minute

Answer 34

TACHYCARDIA

Question 35

Inflammation of a vein associated with formation of a blood clot

Answer 35

THROMBOPHLEBITIS

Question 36

Development of a blood clot within a vessel

Answer 36

THROMBOSIS

Question 37

A blood clot that forms within a blood vessel (root thromb/o)

Answer 37

THROMBUS

Question 38

A twisted and swollen vein resulting from breakdown of the valves, pooling of blood, and chronic dilatation of the vessel

Answer 38

VARICOSE VEIN

Question 39

A procedure that reopens a narrowed vessel and restores blood flow. Commonly accomplished by surgically removing plaque, inflating a balloon within the vessel, or installing a device (stent) to keep the vessel open.

Answer 39

ANGIOPLASTY

Question 40

A battery-operated device that generates electrical impulses to regulate the beating of the heart. It may be external or implanted, may be designed to respond to need, and may have the capacity to prevent tachycardia

Answer 40

ARTIFICIAL PACEMAKER

Question 41

Correction of an abnormal cardiac rhythm. May be accomplished pharmacologically, with antiarrhythmic drugs, or by application of electric current

Answer 41

CARDIOVERSION

Question 42

Radiographic study of the coronary arteries after introduction of an opaque dye by means of a catheter

Answer 42

CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY

Question 43

Surgical creation of a shunt to bypass a blocked coronary artery. The aorta is connected to a point past the obstruction with another vessel or a piece of another vessel, usually the saphenous vein of the leg or the left internal mammary artery

Answer 43

CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT (CABG)

Question 44

Use of an electronic device to stop fibrillation by delivering a brief electric shock to the heart

Answer 44

DEFIBRILLATION

Question 45

A noninvasive method that uses ultrasound to visualize internal cardiac structures

Answer 45

ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY (ECG)

Question 46

Study of the electrical activity of the heart as detected by electrodes (leads) placed on the surface of the body.

Answer 46

ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY (EKG)

Question 47

A compound of protein with lipid

Answer 47

LIPOPROTEIN

Question 48

Dilatation of a sclerotic blood vessel by means of a balloon catheter inserted into the vessel and then inflated to flatten plaque against the artery wall

Answer 48

PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY (PTCA)

Question 49

Any neoplastic disease of lymphoid tissue

Answer 49

LYMPHOMA

Question 50

Inflammation and enlargement of lymph nodes, usually as a result of infection

Answer 50

LYMPHADENITIS

Question 51

Inflammation of lymphatic vessels as a result of bacterial infection. Appears as painful red streaks under the skin.

Answer 51

LYMPHANGIITIS

Question 52

Swelling of tissues with lymph caused by obstruction or excision of lymphatic vessels

Answer 52

LYMPHEDEMA