Glossary In Heart Disease - (A-D)

adrenaline: hormone secreted by the adrenal gland which drives the heart stronger and faster.

anaemia: deficiency of oxygen-carrying haemoglobin in the blood.

angina: pain of a particular type and location (usually in the chest) caused by a deficiency of oxygen supply to the heart.

angiography: injection into the chambers of the heart of a fluid opaque to X-rays; this is then filmed using X-ray film

anti-anginal agents: drugs which diminish angina by reducing the heart's work, or by increasing the oxygen supply.

anti-arrhythmics: drugs which control rapid or incorrect heart rhythms.

anticoagulants: drugs which decrease the blood's tendency to clot.

aorta: large blood vessel that takes blood from the left ventricle and distributes it to the rest of the body, via the arteries.

aortic valve: valve between the left ventricle and the aorta.

arrhythmias: abnormal heart rhythms.

arterial blood: bright red blood full of oxygen, carried away from the heart by the arteries.

arteries: vessels that take blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

arteriography: injection into the arteries of a fluid opaque to X-rays; this is then filmed using X-ray film.

atria: the right and left receiving chambers in the upper part of the heart. (Singular: atrium.)

AV nods: part of the electrical system of the heart Which transmits impulses from the atria to the ventricles.

beta-blockers: group of drugs which block the action of adrenaline and the sympathetic nervous system.

bronchitis: inflammation of the bronchi, the air passages of the lungs.

cardiac: of the. heart.

cardiology: study of the heart.

cardiomyopathy: abnormality of heart muscle.

cardiopulmonary bypass: 'heart-lung machine' that takes over the functions of the heart and lungs open heart surgery

cardioversion: application of an electric shock to the chest to suspend abnormally rapid heart rhythms and restore a normal heart rhythm.

cholesterold: normal constituent of the body, also found in animal fat, possibly harmful if eaten in excess

congenital: existing from birth.

coronary arteries: vessels which supply blood from the aorta to the heart muscle.

coronary artery bypass grafting: surgical technique used in coronary artery disease that takes a segment of a vein from the. leg and attaches one the aorta and the other to the coronary artery, passing a narrowing.

coronary sinus: main vein of the heart which takes its venous blood back to the circulation.

coronary thrombosis: blockage of a coronary by a blood clot, leading to myocardial (heart attack).

cyanosis: blueness of the body due to the presence oxygenated blood in the arteries.

diastole: relaxation phase of the ventricles rhythm, during which they fill with blood.

diastole pressure: blood pressure measured during diastole.

digoxin: drug used to strengthen the heart's action and to slow abnormally fast heart rhythms.

diuretics: drugs which increase the excretion of water and salt by the kidneys which may be retained by the body in heart failure.

ductus arteriosus: congenital defect when the connection between the aorta and pulmonary artery, present in unborn babies, does not close after birth.

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