HEART HEALTH GLOSSARY

Aneurysm:

A bulge or weakening of a blood vessel wall, which can be a risk if it occurs in an artery that supplies the heart (aortic aneurysm).

Aorta:

The largest artery in the body, which transports blood from the heart throughout the circulatory system.

Arrhythmia:

An inconsistent heartbeat, whether irregular, too fast, or too slow, which can be harmless or serious. Symptoms are not always present.

Atherosclerosis:

A condition that occurs when there is a buildup of plaque on the walls of the arteries. Overtime, this buildup can reduce blood flow and cause the arteries to thicken & harden.

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib):

A common heart rhythm disorder characterized by irregular and often rapid heartbeats originating in the atria (upper chambers of the heart).

Automated External Defibrillator (AED):

A portable, lifesaving device that can analyze the heart’s rhythm and administer an electric shock if necessary, helping to restore proper rhythm. Using an AED in combination with CPR can greatly improve a person’s chance of surviving cardiac arrest.

Beta-Blockers:

Medications that lower blood pressure, reduce the heart rate, and decrease the workload of the heart.

Blood Cholesterol:

A wax-like substance that is created by your liver and is essential for your body to make hormones, make vitamin D, create cell membranes, and digest high-fat food. Your liver makes all the cholesterol necessary for your body to complete these functions.

Blood Clot:

A clump of blood that has changed from a liquid to a gel-like or semisolid state; clots can block blood flow in the arteries, causing heart attacks or strokes.

Blood Pressure:

The force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of the blood vessels.

Cardiac Arrest:

When the heart abruptly stops functioning. Often caused by a disturbance to the heart’s electrical system. CPR or use of a defibrillator is necessary to help restore the heart’s rhythm. While cardiac arrest may be caused by a heart attack, it is not the same as a heart attack.

Cardiac Catheterization:

A medical procedure that involves threading a thin tube (catheter) through blood vessels to access and diagnose heart conditions.

Cardiomyopathy:

A condition that makes it harder for heart to pump and deliver blood throughout the body. Cardiomyopathy can lead to heart failure.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR):

An emergency procedure that is performed when a person is in cardiac arrest. CPR helps to maintain blood flow throughout the body until medical personnel arrive. Calling emergency services and performing CPR chest compressions can double or triple a person’s chance of cardiac arrest survival.

Congenital Heart Defect:

A heart abnormality present at birth, which may affect the heart’s structure or function.

Diastolic Blood Pressure:

The lowest number in a blood pressure reading, which measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats.

Dietary Fiber:

Consuming foods rich in fiber can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Dietary Cholesterol:

Cholesterol that is found in animal products including meat, dairy, seafood, eggs, and poultry.

Dyslipidemia:

An abnormal amount of lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) in the blood, which is a risk factor for heart disease.

Echocardiogram:

A non-invasive test that uses sound waves to create images of the heart, helping diagnose heart conditions.

Ejection Fraction:

A measurement of how much blood the left ventricle of the heart pumps out each time the heart contracts.

Endocarditis:

An infection of the inner lining of the heart or heart valves, typically caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream.

Heart Attack:

A medical emergency that occurs when blood flow is blocked from one or more of the coronary arteries, which prevents part of the heart muscle from receiving enough oxygen. Without oxygen, part of the muscle begins to die.

Heart Failure:

A condition where the heart can’t pump blood effectively, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue.

HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein):

“Good” cholesterol that helps remove excess cholesterol from the blood vessels, reducing the risk of heart disease.

Hypertension:

Also known as “high blood pressure”, hypertension develops when the force of blood flowing through your blood vessels remains consistently too high. Over time, hypertension can increase risk of heart disease and stroke.

Hypotension:

Low blood pressure.

Ischemia:

A condition where the heart doesn’t receive enough blood flow and oxygen, often leading to chest pain or angina.

LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein):

High levels of this “bad” cholesterol can lead to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can narrow the arteries and increase the risk of a cardiac event.

Lipid:

A fatty, waxy substance in the blood, which store energy, help build cell membranes, and contribute to the function of the nervous system.

Murmur:

A specific rushing or blowing sound that is heard during a heartbeat. A murmur can indicate anything from healthy heart function during exertion to an abnormality depending on the current conditions.

Myocarditis:

Inflammation of the heart muscle, usually caused by a viral infection.

Myocardium:

The muscular middle layer of the heart’s wall, responsible for pumping blood.

Nitrates:

Medications that help relax and widen blood vessels, reducing the heart’s workload and improving blood flow.

Noninvasive:

Medical procedures or tests that don’t require entering the body with instruments or surgery.

Obesity:

Excessive body fat, which is a risk factor for heart disease due to its association with conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Pacemaker:

A medical device implanted under the skin that helps regulate heart rhythm in individuals with irregular heartbeats.

Palpitation:

The feeling of the heart racing, pounding, fluttering, or skipping a beat.

Pericarditis:

Inflammation of the sac that surrounds the heart.

Plaque:

Deposits of fat and other substances that can stick to artery walls, causing the arteries to narrow.

Pulmonary Artery:

The blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation.

Rheumatic Heart Disease:

A condition that can result from untreated strep throat or scarlet fever, leading to damage to the heart’s valves.

Risk Factor:

A variable that can increase a person’s risk of disease.

Statin:

A drug used to improve cholesterol levels by preventing cholesterol production in the liver. Statins can be a useful tool to decrease the risk of heart disease.

Stent:

A small tube that can be implanted to increase blood flow.

Stress Test:

A diagnostic test that measures the heart’s response to stress or exercise, often used to evaluate coronary artery disease.

Stroke:

When blood flow is blocked from the brain or a blood vessel to the brain ruptures.

Systolic Blood Pressure:

The measurement of the pressure that blood flow puts on the blood vessels.

Tachycardia:

An abnormally fast heart rate, usually over 100 beats per minute.

Thrombosis:

The formation of a blood clot within a blood vessel, which can block blood flow to the heart or other organs.

Triglycerides:

The most common form of fat in the bloodstream, which comes from the food we consume. When there are surplus calories, sugars, and alcohol in the body, they transform into triglycerides. High triglyceride levels can increase risk of heart and vascular disease.

Valve:

Parts of the heart that open and close to allow blood to flow from one section of the heart to another.

Ventricle:

The two lower chambers of the heart.