Cardiac Definitions

Question 1

Aneurysm

Answer 1

A localised dilation or ballooning of a blood vessel, usually in the arteries at the base of the brain and in the aorta.

Question 2

Angina

Answer 2

A clinical syndrome of myocardial ischaemia ranging between stable angina and myocardial infarction. (It is pain or discomfort that happens when your heart can’t get enough blood and oxygen)

Question 3

Angiography/Angiogram

Answer 3

A procedure in which a special x-ray of the heart’s arteries (coronary arteries) is taken to see if they are narrowed or blocked. It is an important test used when a doctor suspects or knows a patient has coronary heart disease

Question 4

Arrhythmia

Answer 4

Means ‘without cardiac rhythm’. Arrhythmia can range in severity from occasional ‘missed’ or rapid beats to serious disturbances that impair the pumping ability of the heart and may result in either heart failure or death

Question 5

Atherosclerosis

Answer 5

A type of arteriosclerosis in which cholesterol and lipid deposits accumulate on the innermost layer of the walls of large and medium-sized arteries.

Question 6

Cardiomyopathy

Answer 6

A condition in which the cardiac muscle of the heart wall becomes dysfunctional because of ischaemic or non-ischaemic mechanisms

Question 7

Coronary

Answer 7

Relating to or denoting the arteries which surround and supply the heart

Question 8

Diaphoresis

Answer 8

The medical term used to describe excessive, abnormal sweating in relation to your environment and activity level. It tends to affect your entire body rather than a part of your body

Question 9

Diastolic

Answer 9

Referring to the time when the heart is in a period of relaxation and dilation

Question 10

Echocardiogram

Answer 10

A diagnostic test which uses ultra sound waves to wake images of the heart chambers, valves and surrounding structures. It can check cardiac output and is a sensitive test for fluid around the heart. It can also be used to detect abnormal anatomy or infections of the heart valves

Question 11

Electrocardiogram

Answer 11

Records the amount of electrical activity of the heart using a number of electrodes that are placed in specific locations on the body surface. These electrodes reflect different aspects of the heart

Question 12

Haematogenous

Answer 12

Originating in, or carried by, the blood

Question 13

Hypotension

Answer 13

Decrease blood pressure. Postural hypotension is a decrease in blood pressure compensation in response to gravitational changes on the circulation.

Question 14

Hypertension

Answer 14

The consistent elevation of systemic arterial blood pressure. Increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure and strokes.

Question 15

Infarction

Answer 15

Injury or death of tissue resulting from inadequate blood supply, especially as a result of obstruction of the local circulation by a thrombus or embolus

Question 16

Ischaemia

Answer 16

Insufficient blood flow to tissues that may result in hypoxia and subsequent cell injury or death

Question 17

Myocardial

Answer 17

The middle muscular layer of the heart. It forms the bulk of the heart wall

Question 18

Pericarditis

Answer 18

The sac-like covering around the heart becomes inflamed. This can be caused by a bacterial, fungal or viral infection. It may also be a result of trauma/injury to the chest, oesphagus or heart. Pain occurs as a result of the inflamed pericardium rubbing against the parietal layer

Question 19

Systolic

Answer 19

The blood pressure when the heart is contracting. It is specifically the maximum arterial pressure during contraction of the left ventricle of the heart. The time at which ventricular contraction occurs is called systole

Question 20

Tachycardia

Answer 20

Fast heart rate (100 beats per minute) common type of heart rhythm disorder in which the heart beats faster than normal

Question 21

Vasoconstriction

Answer 21

Narrowing of the blood vessels that results from contraction of the muscular walls of the vessels

Question 22

Vasodilation

Answer 22

Widening of blood vessels that results from relaxation of the muscular walls of the vessels. What widens in vasodilation is actually the diameter of the interior (lumen) of the vessel

Question 23

Vasospasm

Answer 23

A vasospasm is the narrowing of the arteries caused by persistent contraction of the blood vessels, which is known as vasoconstriction. The narrowing can reduce blood flow.

Question 24

Afterload

Answer 24

The amount of resistance the heart must overcome to open the aortic valve and push the blood volume out into the systemic circulation

Question 25

Anaphylactic Shock

Answer 25

Refers to the body's reaction (overwhelming) to an antigen. Massive amounts of histamine mediates the inflammatory response. Vasodilation causes a drop in the BP leading to hypoperfusion. Bronchospasms occur within the lungs. Increased tissue permeability results in oedema

Question 26

Chronotropes

Answer 26

Influencing the rate especially of the heartbeat. - Positive chronotropes increase heart rate - Negative chronotropes decrease heart rate

Question 27

Cardiogenic Shock

Answer 27

This is caused by failure of the heart to pump efficiently. Low cardiac output results in poor perfusion.

Question 28

Cardiac Tamponade

Answer 28

A life-threatening situation in which there is such a large amount of fluid (usually blood) inside the pericardial sac around the heart that interferes with the performance of the heart.

Question 29

Cardiac Output

Answer 29

The amount of blood the heart pumps through the circulatory system in a minute

Question 30

Cardiac Reserve

Answer 30

The difference between the rate at which a heart pumps blood at a particular time and its maximum capacity for pumping blood

Question 31

Cardiac Failure

Answer 31

Sometimes known as Heart Failure or congestive heart failure. Occurs when your heart muscle doesn't pump blood as well as it should

Question 32

Cor Pulmonale

Answer 32

(Right Sided Heart Failure) | Resulting from prolonged hypertension secondary to pulmonary hypertension

Question 33

Crystalloids

Answer 33

A type of fluid used in IV clinical therapy. They contain electrolytes and non-electrolytes. This will be used based on the patient's condition, they will be chosen as a fluid replacement and to maintain a steady state and help the body achieve different outcomes

Question 34

Colloids

Answer 34

A homogenous non-crystalline substance consistency of large molecules or ultra micoscopic particles of one substance dispersed through a second substance. Colloids include gels, sols, and emulsions.

Question 35

Diuretics

Answer 35

Sometimes called water pills, treat a variety of conditions such as high blood pressure, glaucoma and oedema. Help rid the body of salt and water. Most work by enhancing the flow of urine

Question 36

Hypovolaemic Shock

Answer 36

Loss of circulating blood volume. It occurs when the compensatory mechanisms fail, resulting in a drop in CO2 and hypoperfusion

Question 37

Inotropes

Answer 37

A type of medication that changes the force of your heart's contractions Positive inotropes = strengthen force Negative inotropes = wealen force

Question 38

Left sided heart failure

Answer 38

Inadequate cardiac output from the left ventricle to supply sufficient blood for the body's needs. Backwards effects include pulmonary congestion and oedema which manifests as dyspnoea and cyanosis. Forwards effects include poor perfusion to the organs

Question 39

Neurogenic Shock

Answer 39

Results from the interruption of the autonomic nerve supply from the central nervous system. Reduces cardiac output and increases vasodilation

Question 40

Preload

Answer 40

The amount of ventricular stretch at the end of diastole.

Question 41

Pulmonary oedema

Answer 41

A condition caused by excess fluid in the lungs. This fluid collects in the nervous system numerous air sacs in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe

Question 42

Peripheral Vascular Disease

Answer 42

The reduced circulation of blood to a body part other than the brain or heart.

Question 43

Septic Shock

Answer 43

Shock related to sepsis. Sepsis is life threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection.

Question 44

Vasoactive Drugs

Answer 44

Drugs that have the effect of increasing or decreasing blood pressure and/or heart rate through its effect on blood vessels