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Glossary - Cardiovascular

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Cardiovascular Terminology

he circulatory system comprising the heart and blood vessels which carries nutrients and oxygen to the tissues of the body and removes carbon dioxide and other wastes from them. A Angina Chest pain due to an inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart muscle. The term angina is now used almost exclusively to denote angina pectoris, the medical term for chest pain or discomfort that is most often due to coronary heart disease. Stable angina refers to episodes of chest discomfort that are usually predictable, and which occur on exertion or under mental or emotional stress. Unstable angina refers to episodes of chest discomfort that are unpredictable and usually occur while at rest. Angioplasty A procedure with a balloon-tipped catheter to enlarge a narrowing in a coronary artery. (Also known as PCTA.) Anticoagulant An agent used to prevent the formation of blood clots. A1C Blood Test - Measures the amount of hemoglobin that carries glucose molecules. By measuring A1C, you get an idea of the average amount of glucose in your blood over the last few months. As glucose circulates in your blood, some of it spontaneously binds to hemoglobin (the red protein that carries oxygen in your red blood cells). This combination is called hemoglobin A1c (A1C).

B

Basophil - Type of white blood cell (leukocyte), with coarse granules that stain blue when exposed to a basic dye. Basophils normally constitute 1% or less of the total white blood cell count but may increase or decrease in certain diseases.

D

Diabetes - When used alone, the term refers to diabetes mellitus, a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar, resulting from defects in the secretion and/or action of insulin. It occurs in two major forms: type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus and type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.

Diastolic pressure - The minimum blood pressure, measured before the heart contracts. Usually the second number recorded in a blood pressure reading.

E

Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) - A recording of the electrical activity of the heart. It is a simple, non-invasive procedure whereby electrodes are placed on the skin of the chest and connected to a machine that, when turned on, measures electrical activity all over around the heart. An example of its clinical use is in the initial diagnosis of a heart attack, which is usually made by a combination of clinical symptoms and characteristic EKG changes; the EKG can detect areas of muscle ischemia (muscle deprived of oxygen) and/or dead tissue in the heart.

Eosinophil - White blood cell readily stained with eosin. Eosinophils, normally about 1-3% of the total white blood cell count, are believed to function in allergic responses and in resisting some infections.

H

Heart attack - Death of the heart muscle due to the loss of blood supply, usually caused by a complete blockage of a coronary artery, one of the arteries that supplies blood to the heart muscle. Death of the heart muscle, in turn, causes chest pain and electrical instability of the heart muscle tissue. Also known as myocardial infarction (MI).

Hematocrit - measures the amount of space red blood cells take up in the blood. It is reported as a percentage.

Hemoglobin - measures the amount of oxygen-carrying protein in the blood.

Hemorrhagic stroke - Rupture of a blood vessel in or near the brain. This type of stroke accounts for 20% of all strokes that occur. There are two types of hemorrhagic stroke: subarachnoid hemorrhage, which occurs when a blood vessel on the surface of the brain ruptures and bleeds into the space between the brain and skull; and intracerebral hemorrhage, which occurs when a blood vessel bleeds into the cerebrum, the main portion of the brain.

High blood pressure - A repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg — a systolic pressure above 140 with a diastolic pressure above 90. Also known as hypertension.

High density lipoprotein (HDL) - A fat-like substance that transports cholesterol from the tissues of the body to the liver so it can be excreted in the bile. HDL is the so-called “good cholesterol”; the higher the HDL cholesterol level, the lower the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).

L

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) - A fat-like substance that transports cholesterol from the liver to the tissues of the body. LDL is the so-called “bad” cholesterol; elevated LDL levels are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).

Lymphocytes - T Lymphocytes can be thought of as the controllers of the immune system. They initiate the immune response, control how big or small it should be, and shut it down when it’s not needed. In addition, they can neutralize several different types of foreign attackers.
B Lymphocytes make antibodies. It is these cells that you are training to respond to an attack when you get immunized against diseases, such as measles, mumps, or hepatitis.

M

MCHC - Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration is a calculation of the percentage of hemoglobin in the RBCs. Decreased values point to hypochromasia, decreased oxygen- carrying capacity because of decreased hemoglobin inside the cell. Hypochromasia is seen in iron deficiency anemia and in thalassemia.

MCV - Mean corpuscular volume is a measurement of the average size of your red blood cells (RBC). The MCV is elevated when your RBCs are larger than normal (macrocytic), for example in anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. When the MCV is decreased, your RBCs are smaller than normal (microcytic), such as is seen in iron deficiency anemia.

Monocyte - Type of granular leukocyte (white blood cell) that functions in the ingestion of bacteria and other foreign particles.

MPV - Mean platelet volume is a machine-calculated measurement of the average size of your platelets. New platelets are larger, and an increased MPV occurs when increased numbers of platelets are being produced. MPV gives your doctor information about platelet production in your bone marrow.

Myocardial infarction (MI) - The medical term for heart attack. It refers to changes that occur in the heart muscle (myocardium) due to the sudden deprivation of circulating blood. The main change is necrosis (death) of myocardial tissue.

N
Neutrophil - Granular leukocyte (white blood cell). Neutrophils are phagocytes engulfing bacteria and cellular debris. An increase in the number of neutrophils occurs in acute infections, certain malignant neoplastic diseases, and some other disorders.

P

Platelet Count - is the number of platelets in a given volume of blood. Both increases and decreases can point to abnormal conditions of excess bleeding or clotting.

Platelet Inhibitor - An agent/therapy which prevents or interferes with the formation of blood clots in blood vessels.

R

RBC - Red blood cell count is a count of the actual number of red blood cells per volume of blood. Both increases and decreases can point to abnormal conditions.

RDW - Red cell distribution width is a calculation of the variation in the size of your RBCs. In some anemias, such as pernicious anemia, the amount of variation (anisocytosis) in RBC size (along with variation in shape — poikilocytosis) may help your doctor evaluate the severity of your condition.

S
Stress - Forces from the outside world impinging on the individual. Stress releases powerful neurochemicals and hormones that prepare the individual for action. If no action is taken, the stress response can lead to health problems such as depression, high blood pressure or heart attack.

Stress test - Any of various tests that assess cardiovascular health and function after application of a stress to the heart, usually exercise but sometimes others such as atrial pacing (regulation of the heartbeat by means of an electrode inserted in the atrium of the heart) or specific drugs. In an exercise cardiac stress test (ECST), the patient exercises on a treadmill according to a standardized protocol, with progressive increases in the speed and elevation of the treadmill (typically changing at three-minute intervals). During the ECST, the patient's electrocardiogram (EKG), heart rate, heart rhythm, and blood pressure are continuously monitored. If a coronary arterial blockage results in decreased blood flow to a part of the heart during exercise, certain changes may be observed in the EKG, as well as in the response of the heart rate and blood pressure.

Stroke - The sudden death of some brain cells due to a lack of oxygen when the blood flow to the brain is impaired by blockage (ischemic stroke) or rupture of an artery to the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). A medical emergency, stroke is also called a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Stroke symptoms depend on the area of the brain affected. The most common symptom is weakness or paralysis of one side of the body, with partial or complete loss of voluntary movement or sensation in a leg or arm; other symptoms can include speech problems, confusion, weak facial muscles, numbness or tingling. A stroke involving the base of the brain can affect balance, vision, swallowing and breathing, and may even cause unconsciousness.

Systolic pressure - The maximum blood pressure, measured after the heart contracts. Usually the first number recorded in a blood pressure reading.