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Glossary of Terms
Angina Pectoris is a term that describes chest pain caused by myocardial ischemia, a condition in which the amount of oxygen getting to the heart muscle is insufficient. It usually occurs on exertion and is relieved by rest. Angina is generally a symptom of (CAD) coronary artery disease
Angiogram (also known as angiography) is the x-ray visualisation of the internal anatomy of the heart and blood vessels after the intravascular introduction of radio plaque contrast medium (dye)
Angioplasty (also known as PTCA percutaneous tranluminal coronary angioplasty) is a procedure done under local anaesthesia and designed to dilate (widen or expand) narrowed coronary arteries
Aortic Aneurysms is a weak spot in the wall of the aorta, the primary artery that carries blood from the heart to the extremities
Aortic Valve Stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve in the heart
Atherosclerosis a disease of the arterial wall in which the layer thickens causing narrowing of the channel and thus, impairing blood flow
Bradycardia is a slower than normal heart rate
Cardiac Catheterisation is the procedure of inserting a thin, hollow tube into a blood vessel in the leg (or more rarely the arm) then passing it around the heart in order to obtain information about cardiovascular anatomy and function. The test can measure blood pressure within the heart, how much oxygen is in the blood and the pumping ability of the heart
Cartoid Endarterectomy is a surgical procedure in which a stenosis (narrowing) or ulceration of an atherosclerotic plaque in the cartoid artery is removed
Cholesterol high blood cholesterol is one of the four major risk factors for coronary heart disease (cigarette smoking, high blood pressure and a sedentary lifestyle are the other three)
Congestive Heart Failure is a chronic, progressive condition that occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the muscles, tissues and organs of the body
Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery is a type of heart surgery in which a diseased artery is bypassed with a healthy one taken from elsewhere in the body
Echocardiography is one of the most important non-invasive techniques used in the diagnosis of heart disease today
Heart Attack also known as a myocardial infarction (MI) generally occurs when there is a blockage of blood flow to the heart, resulting in the heart not receiving the oxygen and nutrients it needs
Heart Arrthmia an arrhythmia is an irregular rhythm of the heartbeat
Heart Palpitations these represent the physical sensation of irregularities in the beating of the heart
Laser Angioplasty excimer laser catheters use laser energy in conjunction with angioplasty to open narrowed coronary blood vessels
Pacemakers are artificial devices to electrically assist in pacing the heart so that the heart may pump blood more effectively
Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium, the membrane forming the outer covering of the heart
Rheumatic Fever acute rheumatic fever is an inflammation that may affect many parts of the body. It can be a complication of streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat), single or repeated episodes of rheumatic fever can lead to chronic rheumatic heart disease
Tricuspid Valve Disease can occur when the heart valve between the right ventricle, which normally has three flaps or cusps, becomes narrowed. This lessens the amount of blood flowing into the right ventricle and can reduce the efficiency of the heart
Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome represents a congenital abnormality involving the hearts electrical function, which can result in episodes of rapid heartbeat.
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