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Glossary of Key Terms and Definitions
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ablation: process of destroying or removing
acute: a sudden severe occurrence or episode of a condition; opposite of chronic
anesthesia: loss of feeling (sometimes with loss of consciousness), without loss of vital functions, caused by drugs that block pain impulses from the brain or other organs
anesthetic: substance given to provide anesthesia during surgery or minor surgical procedures
aneurysm: a bulge in a blood vessel's wall, which can weaken the vessel to the point where it eventually tears, causing rapid, sometimes fatal blood loss
angina: brief attacks of chest pain caused by a lack of oxygen in the heart muscles
angiogram: the x-ray image taken during angiography
angiography: in cardiac disease, a diagnostic test in which a catheter is inserted through a small incision in a blood vessel in the groin or wrist and guided up into a heart artery; a dye is then be injected through the catheter to trace the blood flow in the artery so blockages can be detected. This is also refferred to as catheterization.
angioplasty: a surgical procedure used to open a partly blocked blood vessel by passing a balloon catheter through a small incision in a blood vessel in the groin or wrist, and then up along the vessel to the site of the blockage, where the tip of the catheter is inflated to push aside the blockage; often done immediately after angiography using the same catheter
anticoagulant: drug given to keep blood from excess clotting; blood thinner
antioxidants: Vitamins A, E, C, and many of the carotenoids and phytochemicals are thought to be antioxidants. Antioxidants are scavengers of particles called oxygen-free radicals.
antioxidants: substances (such as some vitamins) that prevent the oxidation of lipids such as LDL cholesterol and components of the cell. Vitamins A, C, and E are the vitamins currently in use. Their usefulness has not been firmly established; however, taking these vitamins in their recommended amounts is not harmful, and may be helpful.
aorta: the largest artery in the body; leads from the heart itself out to the body carrying oxygen-rich blood
aortic valve: the heart valve that lies between the left ventricle and the aorta
arrhythmia: an abnormal rhythm of the heart (too slow, too fast, or uneven), which can cause the heart to pump less effectively
arteriosclerosis: a chronic disease in which there is abnormal thickening and hardening of the artery walls, causing arteries to lose their ability to stretch and contract
artery: any of the blood vessels that carry blood loaded with oxygen from the heart throughout the body
asymptomatic: showing no symptoms
atherectomy: surgical removal of plaque deposits inside an artery done by threading a catheter with a rotating cutting blade through an < |
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