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CARDIOVASCULAR AND PULMONARY LEGAL GLOSSARY |
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Glossary of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Terms
A
B C
D E
F G
H I
J K L
M N
O P
Q R S
T U
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W X Y Z #
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Heart Assist Device: A mechanical device that is
surgically implanted to ease the workload of the heart.
Heart Attack: Death of, or damage to, part of the
heart muscle caused by a lack of oxygen-rich blood to the heart.
Heart Block: General term for conditions in which
the electrical impulse that activates the heart muscle cells is delayed or
interrupted somewhere along its path.
Heart-Lung Machine: An apparatus that oxygenates
and pumps blood to the body during open heart surgery.
Heart Murmur: An abnormal heart sound caused by
turbulent blood flow. The sound may indicate that blood is flowing through a
damaged or overworked heart valve, that there may be a hole in one of the
heart's walls, or that there is a narrowing in one of the heart's vessels. Some
heart murmurs are a harmless type called innocent heart murmurs, which are
common in children and usually do not require treatment.
High Density Lipoprotein (HDL): A component of
cholesterol, HDL helps protect against heart disease by promoting cholesterol
breakdown and removal from the blood; hence, its nickname "good
cholesterol."
Holter Monitor: A portable device for recording
heartbeats over a period of 24 hours or more.
Homocysteine: An amino acid (one of the building
blocks that makes up a protein) normally found in small amounts in the blood.
Too much homocysteine in the blood may promote the buildup of fatty plaque in
the arteries. For some people, high homocysteine levels are genetic. For others,
it is because they do not get enough of certain B vitamins in their diet (B-12,
B-6, and folic acid). Most people can keep their homocysteine levels in check by
eating foods rich in B vitamins. Your doctor may also recommend a vitamin
supplement.
Hormones: Chemicals released into the bloodstream that control different
functions in the body, including metabolism, growth, sexual development, and
responses to stress or illness.
Hypertension: High blood pressure.
Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy: An
overgrown heart muscle that creates a bulge into the ventricle and impedes blood
flow.
Hypertrophy: Enlargement of tissues or organs
because of increased workload.
Hyperventilation: Rapid breathing usually caused
by anxiety. People feel like they can't get enough air, so they breathe heavily
and rapidly, which can lead to numb or tingly arms and legs, or fainting.
Hypoglycemia: Low levels of glucose (sugar) in
the blood.
Hypotension: Abnormally low blood pressure.
Heart Attack: A myocardial infarction (MI). This
occurs when an artery that feeds the heart becomes blocked. As a result, blood
does not get to some parts of the heart and some of the heart tissue dies.
Symptoms may include nausea, shortness of breath and pain in the chest, arm or
neck.
Heart Block: A condition in which the natural pacemaker signals sent out by the
S-A node are delayed or fail to reach the ventricles.
Heart Rhythm: Another term for heartbeat. You may hear your doctor refer to your
rhythm as being normal or irregular, meaning there is an abnormality. A normal
heart rate typically ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute at rest.
Hot Can (Active can): Electrical current flows from the lead in the heart to the
surface of the pulse generator.
Hypoxia: Less than normal content of oxygen in the organs and tissues of the
body.
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