Test your knowledge of the following terms

Terms You Should Know

acute myocardial infarction (AMI) - Death of heart muscle caused by blockage in a coronary artery.

aneurysm - A bulge in the wall of an artery that can burst. If an aneurysm bursts in a vital organ (e.g., brain) or in a major vessel (e.g., aorta), the results can be catastrophic.

angina - Chest pain (with squeezing or tightness in the chest) due to an inadequate blood supply to the heart muscle.

asystole - Absence of electrical activity in the heart.

atherosclerosis - A disease characterized by thickening and destruction of the arterial walls, caused by fatty deposits; arteries lose ability to dilate and carry oxygen-enriched blood.

cardiogenic shock - Shock resulting from inadequate functioning of the heart.

congestive heart failure (CHF) - A condition characterized by shortness of breath, fluid in the lungs and/or swelling of the body due to water retention usually in the lower legs. It is due to a damaged heart that cannot contract effectively.

coronary artery disease - A disease that causes the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle to become hardened and narrowed. Also called coronary heart disease.

diaphoresis - Perspiration or sweating due to a medical condition and not caused by normal exertion.

dyspnea - Deep, labored respirations.

dysrhythmia - Abnormal heart rhythm. Also called arrhythmia.

pedal edema - Fluid collecting in the feet which can indicate underlying heart disease. Often seen in CHF.

ventricular fibrillation (VF) - A dysrhythmia in which the heart muscle undergoes an ineffective, uncoordinated quivering.

New Terms

acute coronary syndrome (ACS) - A term used to describe a range of symptoms and conditions from acute myocardial infarction to unstable angina.

aortic dissection — A tear in the lining of the aorta. An aortic dissection can extend to the point that it obstructs arterial blood supply to vital organs.

infarction - Death of tissue due to loss of blood flow.

ischemia - Poor oxygen supply to tissue.

myocardium - Another term for heart muscle.

necrosis - Tissue death.

pulmonary edema - Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the tissues and air spaces of the lungs. Pulmonary edema is most commonly associated with acute myocardial infarction or uncontrolled CHF.

sustained tachycardia - Persistent heart rate of 100 or greater caused by a clinical condition such as hypoxia or impending shock.

thrombus - A clot formed in a blood vessel or in a chamber of the heart.

vasospasm - A sudden constriction of a blood vessel.