Cardiovascular Disease Glossary
100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
Long QT syndrome
A genetic disorder of cardiac ion channels causing prolonged ventricular repolarization and risk of sudden death.
acute coronary syndrome
Umbrella term for conditions caused by sudden reduction in blood flow to the heart muscle.
afterload
The resistance against which the heart must work to eject blood during systole.
akinesis
Absence of wall motion in a segment of the heart muscle.
angina
Chest pain or discomfort caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle.
angiography
Imaging technique using contrast dye to visualize blood vessels and assess for blockages or abnormalities.
anticoagulant
Medication that prevents blood clot formation by interfering with the clotting process.
aortic dissection
A life-threatening condition where blood separates the layers of the aortic wall through an intimal tear.
aortic regurgitation
Backward flow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle due to incomplete closure of the aortic valve.
arrhythmia
Any deviation from the normal heart rhythm, including irregular, fast, or slow heartbeats.
atrial fibrillation
Common heart rhythm disorder characterized by rapid, irregular electrical activity in the heart's upper chambers.
bivalirudin
Direct thrombin inhibitor anticoagulant used during percutaneous coronary interventions as an alternative to heparin plu...
BNP
B-type natriuretic peptide - a hormone biomarker used to diagnose and monitor heart failure.
bradycardia
Abnormally slow heart rate, typically defined as fewer than 60 beats per minute in adults.
bundle branch block
Delay or blockage in electrical conduction through the heart's bundle branches.
CABG
Acronym for coronary artery bypass grafting, surgical procedure to reroute blood around blocked arteries.
cardiac biomarkers
Blood proteins released when heart muscle is damaged, used to diagnose and monitor acute coronary syndromes.
cardiac cachexia
Severe weight loss and muscle wasting that occurs in advanced heart failure patients.
cardiac catheterization
Invasive procedure using catheters to diagnose and treat coronary artery and heart valve diseases.
cardiac output
The volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute, calculated as heart rate × stroke volume.
cardiac tamponade
Life-threatening compression of the heart due to fluid accumulation in the pericardial space, impeding cardiac filling.
cardiomyopathy
Disease of the heart muscle that affects the heart's ability to pump blood effectively.
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Emergency procedure combining chest compressions and rescue breathing to maintain circulation during cardiac arrest.
cardioversion
Procedure to restore normal heart rhythm using electrical shock or medications.
catheterisation
Medical procedure involving insertion of a catheter into blood vessels to diagnose or treat heart conditions.