Vocabulary Flashcards
Bradycardia
Slow heartbeat
Cardiac catheter ablation
Flexible tube is threaded through blood vessels into the heart to destroy abnormal tissue which causes arrhythmias
Cardioversion
Brief discharges of electricity pass through the chest to stop an arrhythmia
Claudication
Cramp like pains in the calves caused by poor circulation to the leg muscles
Coronary arteries
Blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the aorta to the heart muscle
Diaphoresis
Profuse or excessive sweating
Diastole
The period of relaxation of the heart as it fills with blood. The lowest reading of blood pressure
Dysrhytmia
Abnormal rhythm of the heart
Endarterectomy
Surgical removal of the innermost lining of an artery to remove fatty deposits and clots
Endocardium
The inner layer of the heart
Endocarditis
Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart
Hypertension
High blood pressure
Hypotension
Low blood pressure
Infarction
An area of dead tissue caused by decreased blood flow to that part of the body
Ischemia
Deficiency of blood flow to a part of the body caused by narrowing or obstruction of blood vessels
Myocardium
Middle muscular layer of the heart
Myocardial infarction
Death of tissue in heart muscle in heart muscle
Pacemaker
A cardiac pacemaker is a man made device that assists the heart to maintain a normal rhythm
Palpitation
Pounding or racing of the heart
Pericardium
Membrane surrounding the heart
Pericarditis
Inflammation of the pericardium
Aorta
Largest artery which leads from the lower left chamber of the heart to arteries all over the body
Phlebitis
Inflammation of a vein
Pitting edema
Collection of fluid in the body tissues causing swelling. Pitting edema is swelling that when pressed firmly will maintain the dent
