Cardiovascular - ANSWER-relating to the heart and the blood vessels
Blood vessel - ANSWER-an elastic tube or passage in the body through which blood circulates
Artery - ANSWER-a blood vessel that carries blood (usually with oxygen) away from the heart to
the cells, tissues, and organs of the body
Vein - ANSWER-a blood vessel that carries blood to the heart
Aorta - ANSWER-the main artery of the body, supplying oxygenated blood to the circulatory
system
Atrium - ANSWER-a top chamber of the heart in which blood enters the heart
Ventricle - ANSWER-a bottom chamber of the heart which pumps the blood out of the heart
Valve - ANSWER-allows blood to flow through it in only one direction
Cholesterol - ANSWER-a fat-like substance (lipid) that is found in certain foods and is also
produced in the body (liver and intestines). The body needs some cholesterol to work properly.
But high levels of cholesterol in the blood can block arteries and increase the risk of heart
disease.
Plaque - ANSWER-A deposit, build-up of fatty material, cellular waste products, calcium and
other substances on the inner lining of an arterial wall.
Atherosclerosis - ANSWER-a disease when arteries harden and become narrower due to the
plaque
High Blood Pressure / Hypertension - ANSWER-in an adult as a blood pressure greater than or
equal to 140 mm Hg systolic pressure or greater than or equal to 90 mm HG diastolic pressure
Low blood pressure / hypotension - ANSWER-generally when systolic blood pressure is less
than 90 mm Hg or diastolic less than 60 mm Hg
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) - ANSWER-it is arteriosclerosis of the inner lining of the blood
vessels that supply blood to the heart.
, Angina (Angina Pectoris) - ANSWER-chest pain or discomfort that usually occurs with activity or
stress. Angina is chest discomfort
Palpitations - ANSWER-the feelings of having rapid, fluttering or pounding heart. Heart
palpitations can be triggered by stress, exercise, medication or, rarely, a medical condition
Shortness of breath / dyspnea - ANSWER-a sensation of not being able to get enough air;
difficulty breathing
Heart Attack / Myocardial infarction - ANSWER-Scarring or death of the heart due to the lack of
oxygen. It occurs when the blood supply to part of the hear muscle itself -- the myocardium -- is
severely reduced or stopped. The reduction or stoppage happens when one or
Cardiac arrest / cardiopulmonary arrest - ANSWER-When the heart stop beating suddenly and
respiration and other body functions stop as a result. Sudden cessation of heartbeat and
pumping action of the heart, resulting in the loss of effective circulation.
Blood clot Thromb - ANSWER-a thickened (coagulated) mass of blood formed by platelets, as
within a blood vessel or at the site of an open wound.
Embolism - ANSWER-a sudden blockage of an artery caused by a blood clot (embolus) that
travels from other parts of the body (such as the leg). An enbolism can get stuck in the brain,
lungs, heart, or other area, leading to severe damage
Thrombolytic drug / therapy - ANSWER-Medications used to dissolve blood clots and limit the
damage caused by the blockage of the blood vessel. Thrombolysis may be used to treat a heart
attack or stroke.
Anticoagulant / Blood thinner - ANSWER-A class of drugs that prevent blood from clotting and
help to keep existing blood clots from getting worse (e.g. Coumadin)
Beta Blocker - ANSWER-any of group of drugs (as propranolol) that block the activity of a
beta-receptor in order to decrease the heart rate and force of contractions and lower high blood
pressure. Beta blockers are used especially to treat hypertension, angina, and ventricular and
supraventricular arrhythmias.
Aneurysm - ANSWER-an abnormal blood-filled bulge of a blood vessel and especially an artery
resulting from weakening (as from disease) of the vessel wall
Stroke / Cerebral vascular accident (CVA) - ANSWER-a condition when blood supply to he brain
is interrupted depriving the cells of oxygen and other nutrients. There are two types of stroke --
those caused by blood clots in the brain and those that occur when blood vessels burst.
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