Cardiovascular Cardiovascular systemsystem

Angiitis The inflammation of a blood or lymph vessel

Angina A condition of episodesof severe chest pain due to inadequate blood flow to the myocardium

Angiostenosis The abnormal narrowing of a blood vessel

Aneurysm A localized weak spot, or balloon-like

enlargement, of the wall of an artery Aneurysmectomy

The surgical removal of an aneurysm

Arrhythmia

Describes an abnormality, or the loss of the normal rhythm, of the heart

Arteriectomy The surgical removal the surgical removal of part of an artery

Endocarditis An inflammation of the inner lining of the heart

Bacterial endocarditisAn inflammation of the lining or valves of the heart caused by the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream

Plaque A fatty deposit that is similar to the buildup of rust inside a pipe

Atheroma A deposit of plaque on or within the arterial wall

Atherosclerosis Hardening and narrowing of the arteries caused by a buildup of cholesterol plaque on the interior walls of the arteries

Arteriosclerosis Any of a group of diseases characterized by thickening and the loss of elasticity of arterial walls

Cardiac catheterizationA diagnostic procedure in which a catheter is passed into a vein or artery and then guided into the heart

Atherectomy The surgical removal of plaque buildup from the interior of an artery

Hypertension The elevation of arterial blood pressure to a level that is likely to cause damage to the cardiovascular system

Hypotension Lower than normal arterial blood pressure

Orthostatic hypotensionLow blood pressure that occurs upon standing up

SystolicThe blood pressure when the heart is contracting. It is specifically the maximum arterial pressure during contraction of the left ventricle of the heart. The time at which ventricular contraction occurs is called systole.

DiastolicReferring to the time when the heart is in a period of relaxation and dilatation (expansion).

Tachycardia An abnormally rapid resting heart rate

BradycardiaAn abnormally slow resting heart rate

Cardiac arrestAn event in which the heart abruptly stops or develops a very abnormal arrhythmia that prevents it from pumping blood

Ischemia A condition in which there is an insufficient oxygen supply due to a restricted blood flow to a part of the body

Ischemic heart diseaseA group of cardiac disabilities resulting from an insufficient supply of oxygenated blood to the heart

Pericardium The double-walled membranous sac that encloses the heart

Pericarditis An inflammation of the pericardium that causes an accumulation of fluid within the pericardial sac

Phlebitis The inflammation of a vein

Thrombus A blood clot attached to the interior wall of an artery or vein

Thrombosis The abnormal condition of having a thrombus

Coronary thrombosisDamage to the heart muscle caused by a thrombus blocking a coronary artery

Deep vein thrombosisThe condition of having a thrombus attached to the wall of a deep vein

Embolism The sudden blockage of a blood vessel by an embolus

Embolus A foreign object, such as a blood clot, quantity of air or gas, or a bit of tissue or tumor that is circulating in the blood

Cardiomegaly The abnormal enlargement of the heart

Cardiomyopathy The term used to describe all diseases of the heart muscle

Carditis An inflammation of the heart

Coronary arteriesSupply oxygen-rich blood to the myocardium

Coronary artery diseaseAtherosclerosis of the coronary arteries that reduces the blood supply to the heart muscle