Vocabulary (Chapter 5) Flashcards
Blocks the action of the enzyme that causes the blood vessels to contract, resulting in hypertension.
ACE inhibitor
A lower than normal number of erythrocytes (red blood cells) in the blood.
anemia
A localized weak spot or balloon-like enlargement of the wall of an artery.
aneurysm
A condition of episodes of severe chest pain due to inadequate blood flow to the myocardium.
angina
The technique of mechanically widening a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel.
angioplasty
Medication that slows blood coagulation and prevents new clots from forming.
anticoagulant
A condition characterized by the absence of all formed blood elements caused by the failure of blood cell production in the bone marrow.
aplastic anemia
The loss of the normal rhythm of the heartbeat.
arrhythmia
Surgical removal of plaque buildup from the interior lining of an artery.
atherectomy
A deposit of plaque on or within the arterial wall.
atheroma
Hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to a buildup of cholesterol plaque on the interior walls of the arteries.
atherosclerosis
When the normal rhythmic contraction of the atria are replaced by rapid, irregular twitching of the muscular heart wall.
atrial fibrillation
Electronic equipment that automatically samples the heart’s electrical rhythms and when necessary, externally shocks the heart to restore a normal cardiac rhythm.
automated external defibrillator
A medication that reduces the workload of the heart by slowing the rate of the heartbeat.
beta-blocker
Any pathologic condition of the cellular elements of the blood.
blood dyscrasia
An abnormally slow resting heart rate, usually applied to a heartbeat rate of less than 60 beats per minute.
bradycardia
An event in which the heart abruptly stops beating or develops an arrhythmia that prevents it from pumping blood effectively.
cardiac arrest
A diagnostic procedure in which a catheter is passed into a vein or an artery and is guided into the heart.
cardiac catheterization
The term used to describe all diseases of the heart muscle.
cardiomyopathy
Surgical removal of the lining of a portion of a clogged carotid artery leading to the brain.
carotid endarterectomy
A fatty substance that travels through the blood and is found in all parts of the body.
cholesterol
A condition in which venous circulation is inadequate due to partial vein blockage or leakage of venous valves.
chronic venous insufficiency
Damage to the heart muscle caused by a thrombus blocking a coronary artery.
coronary thrombosis
The use of electrical shock to restore the heart’s normal rhythm; also known as cardioversion.
defibrillation
Medication administered to stimulate the kidneys to increase the secretion of urine to rid the body of excess sodium and water.
diuretic
A record of the electrical activity of the myocardium.
electrocardiogram
The sudden blockage of a blood vessel by an embolus.
embolism
A foreign object, such as a blood clot, quantity of air or gas, or a bit of tissue or tumor, that is circulating in the blood.
embolus (plural, emboli)
Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart.
endocarditis
Mature red blood cells produced by the bone marrow.
erythrocytes
The oxygen carrying blood protein pigment of the erythrocytes.
hemoglobin
A condition of an inadequate number of circulating red blood cells due to premature destruction of these cells by the spleen.
hemolytic anemia
To stop or control bleeding.
hemostasis
A group of cardiac disabilities resulting from an insufficient supply of oxygenated blood to the heart.
ischemic heart disease
A type of cancer characterized by a progressive increase in the number of abnormal leukocytes (white blood cells) found in blood-forming tissues, other organs and in the circulating blood.
leukemia
White blood cells that are involved in defending the body against infective organisms and foreign substances.
leukocytes
A decrease in the number of disease-fighting white blood cells circulating in the blood.
leukopenia
A blood disorder characterized by amenia in which red blood cells are larger than normal.
megaloblastic anemia
A group of bone marrow disorders that are characterized by the insufficient production of one or more types of blood cells due to dysfunction of the bone marrow.
myelodysplastic syndrome
The occlusion (blockage) of one or more coronary arteries caused by plaque buildup; commonly known as a heart attack or an MI.
myocardial infarction
Low blood pressure that occurs upon standing up; also known as postural hypotension.
orthostatic hypotension
The double walled membranous sac that encloses the heart.
pericardium
A form of anemia caused by a lack of the protein that helps the body absorb vitamin B12, which is necessary for the formation of red blood cells.
pernicious anemia
Inflammation of a vein or veins.
phlebitis
A peripheral arterial occlusion disease in which intermittent attacks are triggered by cold or stress.
Raynaud’s disease
A blood disorder associated with severe infections caused by the presence of bacteria in the blood.
septicemia (also known as bacteremia)
A genetic disorder that causes abnormal hemoglobin, resulting in some red blood cells assuming an abnormal sickle shape that interferes with normal blood flow.
sickle cell anemia
An abnormal fast heartbeat, usually at a rate of more than 100 beats per minute.
tachycardia
A form of vasculitis that can cause headaches, visual impairment, jaw pain and other symptoms.
temporal arteritis
A diagnostic test performed to evaluate how well blood flows through the coronary arteries of the heart muscle during exercise.
thallium stress test
A condition on which there is an abnormally small number of platelets circulating in the blood.
thrombocytopenia
Medication that dissolves or causes a thrombus to break up; also known as a clot-busting drug.
thrombolytic
The abnormal condition of having a thrombus; plural, thromboses.
thrombosis
The blocking of an artery by a thrombus.
thrombotic occlusion
A blood clot attached to the interior wall of vein or an artery.
thrombus
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.
transfusion reaction
Inflammation of a heart valve.
valvulitis
Abnormally swollen veins, usually occurring in the superficial veins of the legs.
varicose veins
The rapid, irregular and useless contractions of the ventricles.
ventricular fibrillation
A very rapid heartbeat that begins within the ventricles.
ventricular tachycardia
Relating to or contained in the veins.
Venous
Contraction of the heart (active phase of contraction or pumping).
Pertaining to the contraction of the heart.
Systole
Systolic
Relaxation of the heart (short resting period).
Pertaining to the relaxation of the heart.
Diastole
Diastolic
A device that measures blood pressure.
Sphygmomanometer
Hemoglobin - hemo=blood and globin=
Protein
The process of destroying pathogens by surrounding and swallowing them.
Phagocytosis
Episodes of severe chest pain due to inadequate blood flow to the myocardium.
Angina
The opening within the arterial vessels through which the blood flows.
Lumen
Pertaining to the disruption of the blood supply.
Ischemic
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.
Ischemia (isch=means hold back and -emia=blood)
Sudden insufficiency of blood.
Localized area of dead tissue caused by a lack of blood.
Infarction
Infarct
Blockage -
Fluid buildup -
Occlusion
Congestion
Expansion of a hollow structure.
Dilated
The falling or dropping down of an organ or internal part.
Prolapse
Pertaining to sudden occurrence.
Paroxysmal
Inflammation of the arteries.
Under “veins” -
Angiitis or arteritis
Phlebitis
The flow of blood through the vessels of an organ.
Perfusion
A systemic bacterial infection in the bloodstream.
Sepsis
Breaking down of red blood cells.
Hemolytic
Relating to an upright or standing position.
Orthostatic
The accuracy and consistency with which the patient follows the physicians instructions.
Compliance
The process of clotting blood.
Coagulation
Under the tongue -
Through the skin -
Sublingually
Transdermally
A wall that separates two chambers (heart chambers such as atria and ventricles).
Septum
Interatrial septum - separates right & left atria.
Interventricular septum - separates right & left ventricles.
Pertaining to the lungs.
Pulmonary
meaning having three cusps (points)-
means half-moon
shaped like a bishop’s miter (hat)
meaning having two cusps (points)-
tricuspid
semilunar
mitral
bicuspid (all relating to heart valves)
A condition in which there is insufficient supply of oxygen in the tissues due to restricted blood flow to a part of the body.
Ischemia
