Key Terms: Cardiovascular Disorders

Question 1

aneurysm

Answer 1

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

Question 2

angina pectoris

Answer 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

Question 3

arrhythmia

Answer 3

Any abnormality in the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat

Question 4

arteriosclerosis

Answer 4

Hardening (sclerosis) of the arteries, with loss of capacity and loss of elasticity, as from fatty deposits (plaque), deposit of calcium salts, or formation of scar tissue

Question 5

atherosclerosis

Answer 5

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

Question 6

cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

Answer 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

Question 7

clubbing

Answer 7

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

Question 8

coarctation of the aorta

Answer 8

Localized narrowing on the aorta with restriction of blood flow

Question 9

C-reactive protein

Answer 9

Protein produced during systemic inflammation, which may contribute to atherosclerosis; high CRP levels can indicate cardiovascular disease and its prognosis

Question 10

cyanosis

Answer 10

Bluish discoloration of the skin caused by lack of oxygen

Question 11

deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Answer 11

Thrombophlebitis involving the deep veins

Question 12

diaphoresis

Answer 12

Profuse sweating

Question 13

dissecting aneurysm

Answer 13

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

Question 14

dyslipidemia

Answer 14

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

Question 15

dyspnea

Answer 15

Difficult or labored breathing (-pnea)

Question 16

edema

Answer 16

Swelling of body tissues caused by the presence of excess fluid

Question 17

embolism

Answer 17

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

Question 18

embolus

Answer 18

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

Question 19

fibrillation

Answer 19

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

Question 20

heart block

Answer 20

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

Question 21

heart failure

Answer 21

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

Question 22

hemorrhoid

Answer 22

A varicose vein in the rectum

Question 23

infarct

Answer 23

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

Question 24

ischemia

Answer 24

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

Question 25

murmur

Answer 25

An abnormal heart sound

Question 26

myocardial infarction (MI)

Answer 26

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

Question 27

occlusion

Answer 27

A closing off or obstruction, as of a vessel

Question 28

patent ductus arteriosus

Answer 28

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

Question 29

phlebitis

Answer 29

Inflammation of a vein

Question 30

plaque

Answer 30

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. Atheromatous plaque

Question 31

rheumatic heart disease

Answer 31

Damage to heart valves after infection with a type of streptococcus

Question 32

septal defect

Answer 32

An opening in the septum between the atria or ventricles; a common cause is persistence of the foramen ovale (for-A-men o-VAL-e), an opening between the atria that bypasses the lungs in fetal circulation

Question 33

shock

Answer 33

Circulatory failure resulting in an inadequate supply of blood to the tissues.

Question 34

sinus rhythm

Answer 34

A normal heart rhythm originating from the sinoatrial (SA) node

Question 35

stenosis

Answer 35

Constriction or narrowing of an opening

Question 36

syncope

Answer 36

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

Question 37

thrombophlebitis

Answer 37

Inflammation of a vein associated with formation of a blood clot

Question 38

thrombosis

Answer 38

Development of a blood clot within a vessel

Question 39

thrombus

Answer 39

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

Question 40

varicose vein

Answer 40

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

Question 41

ablation

Answer 41

Removal or destruction. In cardiac ablation, a catheter is used to destroy a portion of the heart’s conduction pathway to correct an arrhythmia

Question 42

angioplasty

Answer 42

A procedure that reopens a narrowed vessel and restores blood flow.

Question 43

artificial pacemaker

Answer 43

A battery-operated device that generates electrical impulses to regulate the beating of the heart.

Question 44

cardioversion

Answer 44

Correction of an abnormal cardiac rhythm.

Question 45

coronary angiography

Answer 45

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

Question 46

coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)

Answer 46

Surgical creation of a shunt to bypass a blocked coronary artery.

Question 47

coronary calcium scan

Answer 47

Method for visualizing vessel-narrowing calcium deposits in coronary arteries; useful for diagnosing coronary artery disease in people at moderate risk or those who have undiagnosed chest pain; also known as a heart scan

Question 48

creatine kinase MB (CK-MB)

Answer 48

Enzyme released in increased amounts from cardiac muscle cells following myocardial infarction (MI). Serum assays help diagnose MI and determine the extent of muscle damage

Question 49

CT angiography (CTA)

Answer 49

Computed tomography scan used to visualize vessels in the heart and other organs

Question 50

defibrillation

Answer 50

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

Question 51

percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)

Answer 51

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

Question 52

stent

Answer 52

A small metal device in the shape of a coil or slotted tube that is placed inside an artery to keep the vessel open after balloon angioplasty

Question 53

stress test

Answer 53

Evaluation of physical fitness by continuous ECG monitoring during exercise. In a thallium stress test, a radioactive isotope of thallium is administered to trace blood flow through the heart during exercise

Question 54

troponin (Tn)

Answer 54

A protein in muscle cells that regulates contraction. Increased serum levels, primarily in the forms TnT and TnI, indicate recent myocardial infarction (MI)