Cardiovascular Disorders

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

arrhythmia

Question 4

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

Answer 4

arteriosclerosis

Question 5

The development of fatty, fibrous patches (plaques) in the lining of arteries, causing narrowing of the lumen and hardening of the vessel wall; the most common form of
arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)

Answer 5

atherosclerosis (root ather/o means “porridge” or “gruel”)

Question 6

A slow heart rate of less than 60 bpm

Answer 6

bradycardia

Question 7

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 7

cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

Question 8

Enlargement of the ends of the fingers and toes caused by growth of the soft tissue around the nails; seen in a variety of diseases in which there is poor peripheral circulation

Answer 8

clubbing

Question 9

Localized narrowing of the aorta with restriction of blood flow

Answer 9

coarctation of the aorta

Question 10

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

Answer 10

C-reactive protein (CRP)

Question 11

Bluish discoloration of the skin caused by lack of oxygen in the blood

Answer 11

cyanosis (adjective: cyanotic)

Question 12

Thrombophlebitis involving the deep veins

Answer 12

deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Question 13

Profuse sweating

Answer 13

diaphoresis

Question 14

An aneurysm in which blood enters the arterial wall and separates the layers; usually involves the aorta

Answer 14

dissecting aneurysm

Question 15

Disorder in serum lipid levels, which is an important factor in development of atherosclerosis; includes hyperlipidemia (high lipids), hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), and hypertriglyceridemia (high triglycerides)

Answer 15

dyslipidemia

Question 16

Difficult or labored breathing (-pnea)

Answer 16

dyspnea

Question 17

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

Answer 17

edema

Question 18

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

Answer 18

embolism

Question 19

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

Answer 19

embolus

Question 20

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

Answer 20

fibrillation

Question 21

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

Answer 21

heart block

Question 22

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

Answer 22

heart failure

Question 23

A varicose vein in the rectum

Answer 23

hemorrhoid

Question 24

A condition of higher-than-normal blood pressure; essential (primary, idiopathic) hypertension has no known cause

Answer 24

hypertension

Question 25

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

Answer 25

infarct

Question 26

Local deficiency of blood supply caused by circulatory obstruction

Answer 26

ischemia (root: hem/o)

Question 27

An abnormal heart sound

Answer 27

murmur

Question 28

Localized necrosis (death) of cardiac muscle tissue resulting from blockage or narrowing of the coronary artery that supplies that area; myocardial infarction is usually caused by formation of a thrombus (clot) in a vessel

Answer 28

myocardial infarction (MI)

Question 29

A closing off or obstruction, as of a vessel

Answer 29

occlusion

Question 30

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 30

patent ductus arteriosus

Question 31

phlebitis Inflammation of a vein

Answer 31

phlebitis

Question 32

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

Answer 32

plaque

Question 33

Damage to heart valves after infection with a type of Streptococcus (group A hemolytic Streptococcus); the antibodies produced in response to the infection produce valvular scarring usually involving the mitral valve

Answer 33

rheumatic heart disease

Question 34

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

Answer 34

septal defect

Question 35

Circulatory failure resulting in an inadequate blood supply to the tissues; cardiogenic shock is caused by heart failure; hypovolemic shock is caused by a loss of blood volume; septic shock is caused by bacterial infection

Answer 35

shock

Question 36

Constriction or narrowing of an opening

Answer 36

stenosis

Question 37

cerebrovascular accident

Answer 37

stroke

Question 38

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

Answer 38

syncope

Question 39

An abnormally rapid heart rate, usually over 100 bpm

Answer 39

tachycardia

Question 40

Inflammation of a vein associated with formation of a blood clot

Answer 40

thrombophlebitis

Question 41

Development of a blood clot within a vessel

Answer 41

thrombosis

Question 42

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

Answer 42

thrombus

Question 43

A twisted and swollen vein resulting from breakdown of the valves, pooling of blood, and chronic dilatation of the vessel (root: varic/o); also called varix or varicosity

Answer 43

varicose vein