COMMON MEDICAL CONDITIONS (DISEASES) Flashcards
(167 cards)
a condition in which “plaque” builds up on the walls of the blood vessels; worsened by a diet high in cholesterol
atherosclerosis
a condition caused by atherosclerosis that reduces the blood flow through the coronary arteries (and thus oxygen delivery) to the heart muscle
coronary artery disease (CAD)
a term used to describe sudden reduced blood flow to one or more coronary arteries that can result in cardiac muscle death if left untreated
acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
chest pain caused by an inadequate blood supply to the heart muscle
angina
a condition in which blood flow and oxygen in one or more of the coronary arteries is PARTIALLY BLOCKED causing chest pain
unstable angina
a condition in which blood flow and oxygen in one or more of the coronary arteries is suddenly COMPLETELY BLOCKED; this results in heart muscle death.
myocardial infarction (MI)
a sudden blockage of a coronary artery WITH EKG findings significant for ST segment elevation
ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
a sudden blockage of a coronary artery WITHOUT EKG findings significant for ST segment elevation
Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)
an abnormality in the physiological rate or rhythm of the heart
cardiac dysrhythmia
an abnormal heart rhythm arising from aberrant electrical activity in the heart; originates at or above the AV node
supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
an irregular and often very fast heart rate originating from abnormal conduction in the atria
atrial fibrillation (A-fib)
an abnormal heart rhythm that arises from improper electrical conduction in the ventricles
ventricular fibrillation (V-fib)
a condition in which the heart cannot pump blood well enough to meet the body’s needs resulting in build-up of fluid in the extremities and/or lungs
congestive heart failure (CHF)
high blood pressure
hypertension (HTN)
high lipid levels
hyperlipidemia
high cholesterol levels
hypercholesterolemia
an infection of the upper respiratory tract caused by bacteria or viruses (aka common cold)
upper respiratory tract infection (URI)
an infection of the upper respiratory tract caused by influenza viruses (aka flu)
influenza
an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes
bronchitis
an inflammation/infection of one or both lungs
pneumonia
excess fluid that accumulates in the pleural cavity and can impair breathing by limiting the expansion of the lungs
pleural effusion
the presence of pus in the respiratory (or body) cavity
empyema
an abnormal collection of air in the pleural space which can cause all or part of the lung to collapse
pneumothorax (PTX)
an abnormal accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity
hemothorax (HTX)