Cardiovascular Disease Glossary
100 terms total — 11 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.
myocardial viability
Assessment of whether damaged heart muscle retains potential for functional recovery.
paradoxical embolism
Arterial embolism originating from venous circulation through right-to-left cardiac shunt.
paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Sudden episodes of severe breathlessness that wake patients from sleep, typically associated with heart failure.
pericardium
Double-walled sac surrounding the heart that provides protection and reduces friction.
pulmonary edema
Fluid accumulation in the lungs, often due to heart failure or increased pulmonary capillary pressure.
pulmonary hypertension
Elevated pressure in the pulmonary arteries that can lead to right heart failure if untreated.
tachycardia
Abnormally fast heart rate, typically defined as greater than 100 beats per minute in adults.
takotsubo cardiomyopathy
A form of reversible cardiomyopathy triggered by severe emotional or physical stress, characterized by transient dysfunc...
vascular calcification
Calcium deposit accumulation in arterial walls, indicating advanced atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular risk.
ventricular septal defect
A congenital heart defect characterized by an abnormal opening in the wall separating the heart's two lower chambers.
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
A pre-excitation disorder caused by an accessory electrical pathway between the atria and ventricles.