Cardiovascular Disorders, Diagnosis, Treatment Flashcards
(59 cards)
aneurysm
AN-u-rizm
A localized abnormal dilation of a blood vessel, usually an artery, caused by weakness of the vessel wall; may eventually burst
angina pectoris
an-JI-nah PEK-to-ris
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
arrhythmia
ah-RITH-me-ah
Any abnormality in the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat (literally “without rhythm”; note doubled r); also called dysrhythmia
atherosclerosis
ath-er-o-skler-O-sis
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) (root ather/o means “porridge” or “gruel”)
cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
ser-eh-bro-VAS-ku-lar
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
clubbing
KLUB-ing
Enlargement of the ends of the fingers and toes caused by growth of the soft tissue around the nails (see FIG. 3-17); seen in a variety of diseases in which there is poor peripheral circulation
bradycardia
brad-e-KAR-de-ah
A slow heart rate of less than 60 bpm
coarctation of the aorta
ko-ark-TA-shun
Localized narrowing of the aorta with restriction of blood flow
diaphoresis
di-ah-fo-RE-sis
Profuse sweating
C-reactive protein (CRP)
Protein produced during systemic inflammation, which may contribute to atherosclerosis; high CRP levels can indicate cardiovascular disease and its prognosis
deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
throm-BO-sis
Thrombophlebitis involving the deep veins
cyanosis
si-ah-NO-sis
Bluish discoloration of the skin caused by lack of oxygen in the blood (adjective: cyanotic)
dissecting aneurysm
An aneurysm in which blood enters the arterial wall and separates the layers; usually involves the aorta
dyslipidemia
dis-lip-ih-DE-me-ah
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)
dyspnea
DISP-ne-ah
Difficult or labored breathing (-pnea)
edema
eh-DE-mah
Swelling of body tissues caused by the presence of excess fluid (see FIG. 3-2); causes include cardiovascular disturbances, kidney failure, inflammation, and malnutrition
embolism
EM-bo-lizm
Obstruction of a blood vessel by a blood clot or other matter carried in the circulation
embolus
EM-bo-lus
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
heart block
An interference in the electrical conduction system of the heart resulting in arrhythmia
fibrillation
fih-brih-LA-shun
Spontaneous, quivering, and ineffectual contraction of muscle fibers, as in the atria or the ventricles
heart failure
A condition caused by the inability of the heart to maintain adequate blood circulation
hypertension
hi-per-TEN-shun
A condition of higher-than-normal blood pressure; essential (primary, idiopathic) hypertension has no known cause
hemorrhoid
HEM-o-royd
A varicose vein in the rectum
infarct
in-FARKT
An area of localized tissue necrosis (death) resulting from a blockage or a narrowing of the artery that supplies the area