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acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
a blanket term used to represent any symptoms related to lack of oxygen (ischemia) in the heart muscle. Also called cardiac compromise
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acute myocardial infarction (AMI)
the condition in which a portion of the myocardium dies as a result of oxygen starvation; often called a heart attack by laypersons
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agonal breathing
irregular, gasping breaths that precede apnea and death
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aneurysm
the dilation, or ballooning, of a weakened section of the wall of an artery
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pain in the chest, occurring when blood supply to the heart is reduced and a portion of the heart muscle is not receiving enough oxygen
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asystole
a condition in which the heart has ceased generating electrical impulese
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bradycardia
when the heart rate is slow, usually below 60 beats per minute
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cardiac compromise
see acute coronary syndrome
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cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
actions taken to revive a person by keeping the person's heart and lungs wroking
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cardiovascular system
the heart and the blood vessels
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congestive heart failure (CHF)
the failure of the heart to pump efficiently, leading to excessive blood or fluids in the lungs, the body, or both
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coronoary artery disease (CAD)
diseases that affect the arteries of the heart
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defibrillation
delivery of an electrical shock to stop the fibrillation of hear muscles and restore a normal heart rhythm
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dyspnea
shortness of breath; labored or difficult breathing
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dysrhythmia
a distrubance in heart rate and rhythm
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edema
swelling resulting from a buildup of fluid in the tissues
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embolism
blockage of a vessel by a clot or foreigm material brought to the site by the blood current
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nitroglycerin (NTG)
a medication that dilates the blood vessels
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occlusion
blockage, as of an artery by fatty deposits
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pedal edema
accumulation of fluid in the feet or ankles
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pulmonary edema
accumulation of fluid in the lungs
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pulseless electrical activity (PEA)
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a condition in which the heart's electrical rhythm remains relatively normal, yet the mechanical pumpin gactivity fails to follow the electrical activity. causing cardiac arrest
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sudden death
a cardiac arrest that occurs within 2 hours of the onset of symptoms. the patient may have no prior symptoms of coronoary artery diesease
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tachycardia
when the heart rate is fast, above 100 beats per min
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thrombus
a clot formed of blood and plaque attached to the inner wall of an artery of vein
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ventribular fibrillation (VF)
a condition in which the heart's electrical impulses are disorganized, preventing the heart muscle from contracting normally
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ventricular tachycardia (v_tach)
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- a condition in whihc the heartbeat is quite rapid; if rapid enough, ventricular tachycardia will not allow the heart's chambers to fill with enough blood between beats to produce blood flow sufficient to meet the body's needs
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