A
Aerobic Exercise-light and repetitive exercise done over a
prolonged period of time, such that you will be using the same amount
of oxygen end energy that your body can furnish to your
muscles.
Angina-term for chest pain.
Aorta-the main trunk of the arterial system of the body; the
divisions of the aorta are the abdominal aorta, thoracic aorta,
aortic artery, and ascending aorta.
Aortic Valve-valve between the left ventricle and the ascending
aorta.
Arrhythmia-a condition where the normal rhythm of the heart is in
some way impaired and an abnormal rhythm occurs.
Arteries-blood vessels carry blood from the heart to the
tissues. The arteries carry the oxygenated blood from the right and
left ventricles of the heart to all parts of the body.
Arteriosclerosis-the "hardening of the arteries"; also called
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis-also called the "hardening of the arteries";
caused by the build up of scar tissue, debris, and lipids on the
wall of an artery which makes it loose its flexibility.
Atrium-the upper chamber of each half of the heart. Also called
the auricle.
A-V node-a bundle of fibers of the impulse conducting system of
the heart. It helps to conduct the electrical impulses in the heart
in order to stimulate its beating.
B
B-12 (Vitamin)-an essential vitamin found to be useful in
lowering harmful levels of Homocysteine. It is commonly found in
many meats but is not present in plant matter.
Blood Pressure-the force exerted against the walls of the blood
vessels created by the blood itself; a measure of the pressure on
the artery walls during the heart's pumping action (top number) and
again while the heart is not pumping (bottom number).
C
Cardiac Arrest-when the heart ceases to beat.
Cardiac Arrhythmia-a condition where the normal rhythm of the
heart is in some way impaired and an abnormal rhythm occurs.
Cardiovascular-pertaining to the heart and blood vessels.
Cholesterol-an important substance which is part of the cells in
your body; a substance which helps to carry fat-like substances
called lipids through the blood stream; in excess, a leading cause
of heart disease.
Congestive Heart Failure-when the heart cannot pump properly,
blood backs up the vein leading to the heart.
Coronary Arteries-blood vessels that supply blood directly to the
heart muscle.
Coronary Artery Disease-also known as coronary heart disease or
ischemic heart disease; heart ailments caused by narrowing of the
coronary arteries and therefore causing a decreased blood supply to
the heart.
Coronary Occlusion-an obstruction (generally a blood clot) in a
branch of one of the coronary arteries that hinders the blood flow
to some part of the heart muscle. This part then dies because it
lacks blood supply. Also often called a Myocardial Infarction (MI)
or heart attack.
Coronary Thrombosis-when a clot forms in an artery conducting
blood to the heart muscle. A form of coronary occlusion.
D
Dobutamine-a chemical which is used to artificially stimulate the
heart and make it beat faster and increase the patient's blood
pressure. This is used for stressing tests of the heart where the
patient is unable to exercise in order to achieve this state of
exertion.
Dyslipidemia-a disorder of lipids in the blood stream; an
imbalance in the amount of lipids.
F
Folate-also known as Folic Acid. An important nutrient in aiding
to lower harmful homocysteine levels. It is readily available in
most citris fruits and vegetables.
H
Heart Attack-also called a Myocardial Infarction (MI); a
condition where a heart artery (an artery which feeds the muscle
tissue of the heart) is closed of by atherosclerosis, a blood clot,
debris, or some other blockage. The diminished blood supply
produces a death in the tissue of that region of the muscle. If
enough tissue is damaged, heart function can be impaired and death
can result.
High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL)-the "good" cholesterol; a
structure composed of cholesterol, lipids, and proteins which can
carry excess lipids away from the body tissue and allow them to be
excreted.
Homocysteine-an amino acid; a waste product of the breakdown of
proteins; harmful if above certain levels.
Hypercholesterolemia-a condition of elevated cholesterol.
Hyperlipidemia-a condition of elevated lipids and the lipoproteins
which carry them throughout the bloodstream.
Hypertension-a condition of elevated blood pressure.
I
Infarct-tissue death resulting from the sudden insufficiency of
blood supply.
Ischemia-a reduction or cessation of blood supply to tissue, may
lead to cell death.
L
Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL)-the "bad" cholesterol; a substance
made of lipids, protein, and cholesterol which carries lipids
through the bloodstream.
Lipids-fat-like substance in the body.
Lipoproteins-the protein based structures which carry lipids
through the bloodstream.
M
Metabolism-a general term designating all chemical changes that
occur to substances in the body.
Mitral Valve-valve between the left atrium and the left
ventricle.
Mitral Valve Prolapse-a relatively common condition where the
mitral valve in the heart is not the correct size. The valve, being
to large, can buckle inwards when closing, allowing blood flow to
reverse for a moment. This can result in some chest pain.
Monounsaturated Fat-type of fat that has little effect on blood
cholesterol.
Myocardial Infarction-also called a "heart attack"; a condition
where a heart artery (an artery which feeds the muscle tissue of the
heart) is closed of by atherosclerosis, a blood clot, debris, or
some other blockage. The diminished blood supply produces a death
in the tissue of that region of the muscle. If enough tissue is
damaged, heart function can be impaired and death can result.
Myocardium-a layer of muscle cells which make up most of the
heart.
N
Niacin-also called nicotinic acid; it is a form of Vitamin
B-3. Vitamin B-3 is also available in the form of niacinamide. Your
body usually receives what it needs of this substance from the foods
you eat. It has been shown that extra amounts of niacin in the
system can have beneficial effects on cholesterol levels. The
vitamin can lower LDL cholesterol by 10%-25% and raise the HDL
cholesterol level by 15%-35%.
P
Persantine-a chemical which artificially stresses the heart to
simulate a state of exercise. This is used for patients who are
unable to exercise on a treadmill or other such device to increase
their heart rate.
Plaque-a build up of debris, fatty-substances, and scar tissue in
the walls of the blood vessels; the hardened result is called
plaque.
Polyunsaturated Fat-a certain type of fat of plant origin. These
fats tend to lower blood cholesterol.
Potassium-a mineral in the body necessary for normal fluid
balance, normal muscle contraction and for transmission o nerve
impulses.
Pulmonary Artery-artery originating from the right ventricle that
carries blood to the lungs.
Pulmonic or Pulmonary Valve-valve composed of three cusps,
separating the pulmonary artery and right ventricle.
R
Risk Factor-a criterion that when present in a patient increases
the likelihood for he or she to have heart disease.
S
Saturated Fat-fatty substance which are usually solids at room
temperature; they are of animal origin and they tend to raise blood
cholesterol.
Septum-wall dividing the two cavities or halves of the heart
(right and left).
Sodium-a mineral that helps to regulate blood pressure and the
volume of blood, controls the amount of fluid around the body's
cells, and is essential for contraction of the heart and other
muscles and for the transmission of nerve impulses.
"Statins"-name for a class of medications prescribed for lowering
cholesterol levels. The name of most generic cholesterol medications
end with "statin".
Stroke-the result of a blockage in an artery in the brain.
T
Thrombolytic Agents-chemicals which are capable of dissolving
clots.
Thrombosis-the forming of a blood clot.
Thrombus-also called an embolus, a blood clot.
Total Cholesterol-a number or measure of all the different types
of cholesterol in the blood stream (LDL, HDL, VLDL, etc.).
Tricuspid Valve-valve between the right atrium and the right
ventricle.
Triglycerides-fat compounds found in the blood stream.
V
Very-Low-Density Lipoproteins (VLDL)-structures composed of
protein, lipids, and cholesterol which carry triglycerides in the
blood stream.
