Here are common cardiac terms you may hear when learning about a heart problem and treatment:
- Aorta: The body’s largest artery. It carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body
- Aortic valve: A valve inside the heart that allows blood to flow forward from the left ventricle to the aorta.
- Arrhythmia: An abnormal heart rhythm or rate.
- Artery: A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.
- Atresia: A condition in which a part of the heart, such as a valve, is absent at birth. This is because it didn’t develop the right way.
- Atria (singular: atrium): The heart’s two upper chambers. They receive blood from the lungs (left atrium) and the body (right atrium).
- AV (atrioventricular) node: The cluster of electrical cells in the heart. They receive signals from the atria and guide them to the ventricles.
- Balloon valvuloplasty: A procedure that uses a balloon-tipped catheter to open a narrowed heart valve or vessel.
- Bicuspid: A heart valve with two leaflets.
- Biological valve: A heart valve created from human or animal tissue.
- Blood vessels: Tubes that carry blood throughout the body. Arteries and veins are blood vessels.
- Bradycardia or bradyarrhythmia: A type of arrhythmia during which the heart beats too slowly.
- Bundle branches: Pathways of cells in the heart. They carry electrical signals from the AV node into the ventricles.
- Cardio: Relating to the heart.
- Cardiologist: A doctor with special training to diagnose and treat heart problems.
- Cardiomyopathy: Structural and/or functional diseases of the heart’s ventricles not caused by coronary artery disease.
- Catheter: A long, thin, flexible tube used during cardiac catheterization procedures. It helps obtain information about the heart or helps treat a heart problem.
- Coarctation: Narrowing of a blood vessel.
- Contrast dye: A special fluid that enhances x-rays of blood vessels. It allows blood flow to be tracked. Used for certain heart tests.
- Coronary: Relating to the heart vessels that provide blood to the heart itself.
- Coronary arteries: Blood vessels that wrap around the heart. They supply the heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood.
- Cyanosis: A condition in which the skin, lips, and nails appear blue. This is due to low oxygen levels in the blood.
- Ductus arteriosus: A blood vessel in the fetus that connects the pulmonary artery and the aorta. If it fails to close after birth, it’s called a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).
- Echocardiography (echo): A test that uses sound waves to create a picture of the heart. Also called a heart ultrasound.
- Edema: A buildup of excess fluid in the body. Often shows up as swollen feet or ankles.
- Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG): A test that records the way electrical signals move through the heart.
- Foramen ovale: An opening between the two upper chambers of a fetus’s heart. If it fails to close after birth, it’s called a patent foramen ovale (PFO).
- Homograft: A blood vessel with or without a heart valve from a human donor.
- Hypertrophy: When the heart muscle thickens.
- Hypoplastic: Abnormally small or undeveloped.
- Insufficiency (regurgitation): When a heart valve doesn’t close tightly. It allows leakage or backward flow of blood.
- IV (intravenous) line: A thin tube that delivers fluid to a vein.
- Mechanical valve: A heart valve created from manmade material. This includes ceramic or metal.
- Mitral valve: The valve inside the heart that allows blood to flow forward from the left atrium to the left ventricle.
- Murmur: An extra noise made by the heart. It happens when blood doesn’t flow smoothly through the heart.
- Palpitation: An irregular or skipped heartbeat.
- Pulmonary artery: The large artery that carries blood from the heart to the lungs to get oxygen.
- Pulmonary veins: Veins that carry oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the heart.
- Pulmonary valve: The valve inside the heart that allows blood to flow forward from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery.
- Risk factors: Behaviors and/or conditions that place a person at higher risk of having a problem or disease.
- SA (sinoatrial) node: A cluster of electrical cells in the right atrium that starts each heartbeat.
- Shunt: When blood flows from one location of the heart to another in the path of least resistance. It can also refer to a tube or device placed in the heart. The device allows blood to flow in a certain direction.
- Stenosis: Narrowing that occurs at or near a heart valve or blood vessel. This obstructs blood flow.
- Stent: A device that is placed in a blood vessel or heart valve. It helps keep it open.
- Tachycardia or tachyarrhythmia: A type of arrhythmia during which the heart beats too fast.
- Tricuspid valve: The valve inside the heart that allows blood to flow forward from the right atrium to the right ventricle.
- Valves: “Doorways” that open and close. They allow blood to flow forward through the heart.
- Vein: A blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart.Ventricles (singular: ventricle): The heart’s two lower chambers. They pump blood to the lungs (right ventricle) and the body (left ventricle).
