Cardiovascular Terminology Explained
Cardiovascular disease: Disease of the heart (cardio) and/or blood vessels (vascular).
Hypertension: "high blood pressure"
| Blood Pressure | Systolic (mmHg) | Diastolic (mmHg) |
| Normal | <120 | <80 |
| Pre-hypertension | 120-139 | 80-89 |
| Hypertension: |
| Stage 1 | 140-159 | 90-99 |
| Stage 2 | 160 or higher | 100 or higher |
Hyperlipidemia: Elevated blood cholesterol level(s).
Recommended levels:
Total cholesterol < 200
LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) < 100
HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol) > 40;
Triglycerides < 150
Stroke: Blood vessel of the brain gets clogged or breaks causing injury to the brain.
Myocardial Infarction: "Heart Attack". Complete blockage of one or more of the heart arteries resulting in damage and/or death of the heart muscle.
Arrhythmia: Abnormal beating of the heart. Type of arrhythmia can be determined by performing an electrocardiogram.
Cardiac stress test: Test used to indirectly evaluate a person for significant narrowing of the heart arter(ies). Utilizes exercise or medication to simulate exercise. Can incorporate "nuclear" or ultrasound images of the heart to increase the sensitivity and specificity of the test.
Electrocardiogram: Test which records heart electrical activity.
Echocardiogram: Ultrasound study of the heart which evaluates heart muscle structure/function, heart valve structure/function.
Cardioversion: An electrical impulse is directed through pads placed on the chest wall to convert an abnormal heart rhythm to a normal heart rhythm; patient is sedated during procedure.
Holtor monitor: A small monitor is worn for 24 or 48 hours to continuously record a person's heart rhythm.
Cardiac Catheterization: "Heart Angiogram" or dye study of the heart arteries to evaluate for significant heart artery narrowing or blockage.
Angioplasty: a small balloon is temporarily inserted into a narrowed or blocked artery and inflated; used to restore normal blood flow in an artery.
Stent: a small, mesh tube is permanently placed into a narrowed or blocked artery; used to restore/maintain normal blood flow in an artery.
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