Aneurysm: An area of a blood vessel that has become enlarged due to weakness in the vessel wall. An aneurysm can occur in the vessels of the brain, as well as in several places in the aorta, the large artery through which the heart pumps blood to the body.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: Also known as ACE inhibitors, these medications lower blood pressure and treat congestive heart failure by dilating blood vessels.
Angina (angina pectoris): Attacks of intense neck, arm, jaw, or chest pain due to deficiency of blood and oxygen to the heart; usually due to a partially blocked coronary artery.
Angiogram: An image of the heart and coronary arteries obtained by using an injected “contrast agent” or dye. Used most often to look for blockages in the coronary arteries, which could cause a heart attack.
Angioplasty: Procedure to widen or open blocked blood vessels by threading a narrow catheter into the blocked area and inflating a tiny balloon to mechanically expand it.
Angiotensin II receptor blockers: A type of medication for treating high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. These medicines prevent angiotensin from working to constrict blood vessels; also known as ARBs.
Arrhythmia: Irregular heartbeat.
Atherosclerosis: A disease defined by the build-up of fatty material into plaques on artery walls, thereby reducing blood flow. The plaque can break off, causing blockages in blood vessels.
Beta blockers: Commonly used medications for treating high blood pressure, they work by decreasing the force with which the heart pumps blood, or relaxing blood vessels to decrease the pressure within them. They are also used to treat arrhythmias and angina.
Blood pressure (BP): An important measurement that shows how much force the blood exerts against the artery walls as it flows through the body. BP indicates the force of pumping, the amount of blood that is pumped, and the arteries’ flexibility and size. BP is very sensitive and can change depending on factors such as diet and emotional and physical state.
Calcium antagonists (calcium channel blockers): Medications used to slow the heart and relax blood vessels, to treat angina and to control blood pressure.
Cardiac arrest: The heartbeat stopping, slowing down, or fibrillating (beating irregularly) to a degree that it’s unable to effectively maintain blood pressure, resulting in unconsciousness. Death will occur in minutes if resuscitation efforts aren’t made.
Cholesterol: Fat-like substance that is necessary for the synthesis of cell membranes and some hormones. High amounts can lead to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.
Congestive heart failure: A disease in which the heart cannot efficiently pump blood from the heart throughout the body. The back-up of blood eventually causes fluids to seep from the bloodstream into the lungs (pulmonary edema) or extremities (peripheral or dependent edema).
Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG): Surgery in which a blood vessel, taken from another part of the patient’s body, is used to make a “bypass” blood vessel to provide a route for blood to be diverted around a clogged artery.
Coronary heart disease: Narrowing or blockages of the coronary arteries by atherosclerosis leading to impaired flow in blood vessels to the heart.
C-reactive protein: Protein produced due to inflammation; increased levels may indicate a heart problem.
Creatine kinase: Enzyme that can be measured by a blood test which, if elevated, may indicate heart muscle damage; used to diagnose a heart attack.
Defibrillation: Electric shock delivered to the heart to normalize heart rhythm.
Diastolic blood pressure: The arterial pressure between heart beats (at rest); the lower/second number in a blood pressure reading.
Digitalis (digoxin, digitoxin): Medication that strengthens the heart’s ability to pump blood and eliminate fluid from tissues. Can also be used to treat some abnormal heart rhythms.
Diuretics: Medications that promote excretion of water and salts; used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.
Echocardiogram: Imaging test using reflected sound waves to show heart’s structure and movement.
Electrocardiogram (EKG): Test that provides a paper or electronic tracing of the electrical signal from the heart. It can show irregular rhythms, signs of heart enlargement, or evidence of a previous heart attack.
Fibrillation: Uncoordinated, fast contractions of heart muscle that prevent the heart from pumping blood effectively. This can occur in the upper chambers of the heart, which is called atrial fibrillation, and can often be managed with medications. When it occurs in the lower chambers, it is called ventricular fibrillation and results in cardiac arrest and death if not treated quickly with electrical defibrillation.
Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors: Medications that affect platelets and are used to reduce blood clotting; also called super aspirins.
Heart attack/myocardial infarction (MI): Acute heart muscle damage, even muscle death, due to severely restricted amounts of blood and oxygen getting to part of the heart muscle. This usually occurs due to previously partially blocked coronary arteries becoming completely blocked.
High blood pressure (hypertension): The systolic reading is above 140 mm/Hg, and the diastolic is 90 mm/Hg.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL): Molecules of protein and fat that carry cholesterol from tissues to the liver; it’s considered the “good” lipoprotein. High levels of HDL reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Homocysteine: An amino acid, which in high levels, is linked to cardiovascular disease.
Ischemia: Reduction in blood flow leading to reduced amounts of oxygen reaching tissues.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): Molecules of fat and protein that take cholesterol from the liver and into the tissues; it’s considered the “bad” lipoprotein because high levels contribute to the formation of plaques in the arteries and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Nitroglycerin: Medication that is dissolved under the tongue for rapid absorption (may also be given orally, as a skin patch, or through an intravenous catheter) to dilate narrowed blood vessels for increased blood flow. Doctors prescribe it to treat angina.
Pacemaker: Implanted device that produces electrical impulses in the heart.
Plaque: Solid mass of material on an artery wall containing cholesterol, cell debris, other fats, and calcium; a hallmark of atherosclerosis.
Reperfusion therapy: Treatment to restore blood flow to a damaged part of the heart or brain. Angioplasty is an example.
Restenosis: A situation in which a blood vessel widened through surgery or angioplasty once again narrows.
Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT): A procedure that involves injecting radioactive liquid into a blood vessel so pictures of the heart can be taken.
Statins: Medications that lower cholesterol.
Stenosis: Blood vessel narrowing that results in a restriction of blood supply.
Stent: Tube placed inside a coronary artery; used to widen and support the artery after it has been cleared of a blockage.
Systolic blood pressure: A reading of the arterial pressure of the heart beat (during contraction of the heart); the upper or first number in a blood pressure reading.
Tachycardia: Very fast heartbeat.
Thrombolytic agents/clot busters: Medications used to break up blood clots, to allow blood to flow again.
Thrombus: Blood clot that forms inside a blood vessel or the heart.
Tissue plasminogen activators (tPAs): Medications that dissolve blood clots.
Trans fats/fatty acids: A type of fat found in foods that contain hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, including packaged baked goods. Trans fats lower “good” cholesterol, raise “bad” cholesterol, and are implicated in increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Treadmill test/stress test: Test to measure heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, cardiac output, and electrical activity while stressing the heart during exercising. It is used most often to diagnose blockages in the coronary arteries.
Triglycerides: Fat used for energy. High levels increase cardiovascular disease risk.
Troponin: Protein found in the heart muscle, which, if elevated on a blood test, indicates injury to the heart.
Vasodilators: Medications that relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
Vasopressors: Medications that cause blood vessels to constrict and raise blood pressure. They are most often used to treat low blood pressure in emergency situations.