AP10 The Cardiovascular System

Fatigue

A feeling of tiredness or weariness resulting from continued activity or as a side effect from some psychotrophic drug

Weakness

Lacking physcial strength o vigor

Palpitation

A pounding or racing of the heart, associated with normal emotional responses or with heart disorders

Cardiac Enzymes Test

Performed on samples of blood obtained by venipuncture to determine the presence of damage to the myocardial muscle

Venous Insufficiency

An abnormal circulatory condition characterized by decreased return of venous blood from the legs to the trunk of the body

Echocardiography

Diagnostic procedure for studying the structure and motion of the heart. It is useful in evaluating structural and functional changes in a variety of heart disorders

Atrial Flutter

Condition in which the contractions of the atria become extremely rapid, at the rate of between 250 and 350 beats per mninute

Atrial/Ventricular Fibrillation

Extremely rapid, incomplete contractions of the atria resulting in disorganized and uncoordinated twitching of the atria

Cardiomyopathy

Disease of the heart muscle itself, primarily affecting the pumping ability of the heart. This non-inflammatory disease of the heart results in enlargement of the heart (cardiomegaly) and dysfunction of the ventricles of the heart

Angina Pectoris

Severe pain and constriction about the heart, usually radiating to the left shoulder and down the left arm- creating a feeling of pressure in the anterior chest

Coronary Artery Disease

The narrowing of the coronary arteries to the extent that adequate blood supply to the myocardium is prevented

Congestive Heart Failure

Condition characterized by weakness, breathlessness, &abdominal discomfort. Edema in the lower portions of the body. The pumping ability of the heart is progressively impaired to the point that it no longer meets bodily needs (AKA Cardiac Failure)

Thrombophlebitis

Inflammation of a vein associated with the formation of a thrombus (clot); usually occurs in an extremity most frequently a leg

Myocardium

The middle muscular layer of the heart

Raynaud's Phenomenon

Intermittent attacks of vasoconstriction of the arterioles (causing pallor to the fingers or toes), followed by cyanosis and then redness before returning to normal color; initiated by exposure to cold or emotional disturbance

Atherosclerosis

A form of arteriosclerosis characterized by fatty deposits building up within the inner layers of the walls of larger arteries

Pulmonary Artery

One of a pair of arteries that transports deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation. The pulmonary arteries are the only arteries in the body to carry deoxygenated blood.

Bruit

An abnormal sound or murmur heard when listening to a carotid artery, organ, or gland with a stethoscope

Pulmonary Circulation

The circulation of deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation and back to the left atrium of the heart

Claudication

Cramplike pains in the calves caused by poor circulation to the muscles of the legs; commonly associated with atherosclerosis

Mitral Valve Prolapse

Drooping of one or both cusps of the mitral valve back into the left atrium during ventricular systole, resulting in incomplete closure of the valve and mitral insufficiency

Coronary Artery

One of a pair of arteries that branch from the aorta. The coronary arteries and their branches supply blood and oxygen to the heart muscle (myocardium)

Cusp

Any one of the small flaps on the valves of the heart

Dependent Edema

A fluid accumulation in the tissues influenced by gravity; usually greater in the lower extremities than in tissue levels above the level of the heart

Diastole

The period of relaxation of the heart, alternating with the contraction phase known as systole

Pulmonary Vein

One of four large veins (two from each lung) that returns oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the left atrium of the heart

Dysrhythmia

Abnormal rhythm

SA Node

Sinoatrial node; pacemaker of the heart

Edema

The localized or generalized collection of fluid within the body tissues, causing the area to swell

Septum

A wall, or partition, that divides or separates two cavities

Myocardial Infarction

Heart Attack

Myocarditis

Inflammation of the myocardium

Pericarditis

Inflammation of the pericardium

Endocarditis

Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart

Hypertension

Elevated blood pressure persistently higher than 135/85 mm Hg

Hypotension

Low blood pressure; less than normal blood pressure reading

Infarction

A localized area of necrosis in tissue, a vessel, an organ, or a part resulting from lack of oxygen due to interrupted blood flow to the area

Vomiting

Ejection through the mouth of the gastric content

Tachycardia

abnormal rapidity of heart action, usually defined as a heart rate over 100 beats per minute

Sweat

Perspiration; the liquid secreted by the sweat glands

Pallor

Lack of color; paleness

Nausea

Unpleasant sensation, usually preceding vomiting

Headache

A diffuse pain in different portions of the head and not confined to any nerve distribution area

Fever

Elevation of temperature above the normal

Mediastinum

The area between the lungs in the chest cavity that contains the heart, aorta, trachea, esophagus, and bronchii

Murmur

A low-pitched humming or fluttering sound heard on auscultation

Occlusion

closure; state of being closed

Pacemaker

The SA Node of the heart, located in the right atrium. It is responsible for initiating the heartbeat, influencing the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat.

Pericardium

The double membranous sac that encloses the heart and the origins of the great blood vessels

Pitting Edema

Swelling, usually of the skin of the extremities, that when pressed firmly with a finger will maintain the dent produced by the finger

Systemic Circulation

Oxygenated blood leaves the left ventricle of the heart and is distributed to the capillaries. Deoxygenated blood is picked up from the capillaries and is transported back to the right atrium of the heart

Systole

The contraction phase of the heartbeat forcing blood into the aorta and the pulmonary arteries

Aneurysm

Localized dilation of a weakened area of the wall of an artery. The weakened area balloons out with every pulsation of the artery

Vasoconstriction

Narrowing of the lumen of a blood vessel

Rheumatic fever

An inflammatory disease that may develop as a delayed reaction to insufficiently treated group A betahemolytic streptococcal infection of the upper respiratory tract

Vegetation

An abnormal growth of tissue around a valve

Anorexia

Loss of appetite

Anxiety

A feeling of apprehension, worry, uneasiness, or dread, especially of the future

Bradycardia

A slow heart rate characterized by a pulse rate under 60 beats per minute

Chest Pain

A feeling of discomfort in the chest area

Cyanosis

Slightlybluish, grayish, slatelike, or dark discoloration of the skin due to the presence of abnormal amounts of reduced hemoglobin in the blood

Varicose Veins

Enlarged, superficial veins; A twisted, dilated vein with incompetent valves

Angiography

X-ray visualization of the internal anatomy of the heart and blood vessels after introducing a radiopaque substance that promotes the imaging of internal structures that are otherwise difficult to see on x-ray film.

Thallium Stress Test

One of several nuclear stress tests, is a combination of exercise stress testing with thallium imaging (myocardial perfusion scan) to assess changes in coronary blood flow during exercise

Exercise Stress Testing

A means of assessing cardiac function, by subjecting the patient to carefully controlled amounts of physical stress

Holter Monitoring

A small, portable monitoring device that makes prolonged electrocardiograph recordings on a portable tape recorder. The continuous EKG is recorded on a magnetic tape recording while the patient conducts normal daily activities

Event Monitor

Similar to the Holter Monitor in that it also records the electrical activity of the heart while the patient goes about usual daily activities. A cardiac event monitor can be used for a longer period of time than a Holter Monitor. (usually a month)

Defibrillator

A small, lightweight, electronic device placed under the skin or muscle in either the chest or abdomen to monitor the heart's rhythm. If an abnormal rhythm occurs, the ICD helps return the heart to its normal rhythm

Electrocardiogram

Graphic record of the electrical action of the heart as reflected from various angles to the surface of the skin; AKA EKG or ECG

Cardiac Catherterization

A diagnostic procedure in which a catheter is introduced into a large vein or artery and then threaded through the circulatory system to the heart. Used to obtain detailed info about structure and function of the heart chambers, valves, and great vessels

Dyspnea

Air hunger resulting in labored or difficult breathing, sometimes accompanied by pain (normal when caused by vigorous work or athletic activity)