Cardiovascular Disease Glossary

Umbrella term for conditions caused by sudden reduction in blood flow to the heart muscle.

Any deviation from the normal heart rhythm, including irregular, fast, or slow heartbeats.

Abnormally slow heart rate, typically defined as fewer than 60 beats per minute in adults.

Blood proteins released when heart muscle is damaged, used to diagnose and monitor acute coronary syndromes.

Severe weight loss and muscle wasting that occurs in advanced heart failure patients.

Invasive procedure using catheters to diagnose and treat coronary artery and heart valve diseases.

The volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute, calculated as heart rate × stroke volume.

Life-threatening compression of the heart due to fluid accumulation in the pericardial space, impeding cardiac filling.

Disease of the heart muscle that affects the heart's ability to pump blood effectively.

Emergency procedure combining chest compressions and rescue breathing to maintain circulation during cardiac arrest.

Procedure to restore normal heart rhythm using electrical shock or medications.

A congenital narrowing of the aorta that can cause hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy.

Chronic inflammation leading to pericardial scarring and restriction of cardiac filling and function.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction where the heart muscle stiffens and cannot relax properly during filling.

A heart muscle disease characterized by ventricular chamber enlargement and reduced systolic function.

Ultrasound examination of the heart to assess structure and function non-invasively.

Infection or inflammation of the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves, often caused by bacteria.

Heart failure syndrome with normal or near-normal left ventricular systolic function.

Multidisciplinary consultation process involving cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and other specialists to determine opt...

Chronically ischemic but viable cardiac muscle that exhibits reduced contractility but retains potential for recovery wi...

A genetic connective tissue disorder that commonly affects the cardiovascular system, particularly the aorta.

Impaired function of small coronary arteries causing angina symptoms despite normal large vessel coronary arteries.

Medical term for heart attack, referring to death of heart muscle tissue due to blocked blood flow.

Temporary mechanical dysfunction of heart muscle that persists despite restoration of normal coronary blood flow.