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Medical Glossary
Aneurysm | Angina Pectoris | Artificial Pacemaker | (Stable) Angina | (Unstable) Angina | Angiogram
Angioplasty | Arteriosclerosis | Aorta | Arrhythmia | Arteries | Atheroma
Blood Pressure | Cardiac | Cardiomyopathy | Cholesterol | Coronary Thrombosis | Diuretics
Electrocardiogram | High Blood Pressure | Hypertension | Intermittent Claudication
Ischaemic Heart Disease | Myocardial Infarction | Palpitations | Transient Ischaemic Attack
Ventricle | Ventricular Fibrillation
Aneurysm :
A
a swelling upon the wall of an artery or vein which is filled with blood.
Angina Pectoris :
:Attacks of choking or gripping pain on upper part of chest brought on
by exertion, after large meals or in cold weather.
Artificial Pacemaker :
A tiny computerised electrical unit implanted in the chest to regulate
the heartbeat.
(Stable) Angina :
Pain in the upper chest that results from a particular amount of exercise or
or exertion and that is controlled by medication.
(Unstable) Angina :
Chest pain that occurs at rest or is brought on by less effort or becomes
more frequent or more intense or a combination of these factors.
Angiogram :
An X ray picture which shows up any narrowing of the arteries. ( A Coronary
Angiogram shows the arteries round the heart.)
Angioplasty :
The correcting of narrowing of an artery by the passing of a catheter through to the
affected area via the groin. The tip of this catheter carries a tiny balloon which
when inflated pushes aside the fatty substance that is narrowing the artery.
Arteriosclerosis :
The development of fatty deposits on the artery walls which harden
leading to a narrowing of the artery which can restrict the flow of blood.
Aorta :
The main artery of the body beginning at the left ventricle of the heart.
Arrhythmia :
An abnormality of the rhythm of the heartbeat
Arteries :
Tubes with muscular walls through which oxygenated blood is pumped from
heart to the rest of the body.
Atheroma :
See under Arteriosclerosis
Blood Pressure :
The pressure required by the heart to drive the blood supply through the
Arteries. It is highest when the heart contracts and pushes (the systolic) and
lowest when it relaxes (the diastolic).It is measured numerically with the
highest (systolic) given first i.e. 140/70.
Cardiac :
Relating to the heart
Cardiomyopathy :
A group of disorders of the heart muscle which leads to progressive
weakness of the heart.
Cholesterol :
A fat like substance present in the body and supplied in the food diet
Coronary Thrombosis :
The obstruction of an artery supplying blood to the heart.
Diuretics :
Drugs used to get rid of body fluids. This is especially helpful with congestive
Heart failure.
Electrocardiogram :
A record of minute electrical impulses generated by the heart and used
to determine the condition of the heart.
High Blood Pressure :
When blood pressure is higher than normal. If primary no underlying
underlying cause can be found. If secondary, it can follow disease of the
kidneys. In some cases there is a family history.
Hypertension :
Another name for High Blood Pressure.
Intermittent Claudication :
Cramping pain in the legs while walking causing patient to
limp and stop. Because pain wears off with rest it is referred
to as ‘ intermittent’.
Ischaemic Heart Disease :
A heart condition that is caused by an inadequate supply of
blood to the heart.
Myocardial Infarction :
A condition in which a segment of heart muscle dies when its blood
supply has been cut off by a blocked artery.
Palpitations :
A state in which the heart beats forcibly or irregularly to the notice of the
individual.
Transient Ischaemic Attack :
A mild form of stroke.
Ventricle :
The lower chamber located on both the left and right hand sides of the heart.
Ventricular Fibrillation :
A serious disturbance of the normal heart rhythm with the main
pumping chambers (ventricles) beating very fast, irregularly
and inefficiently.