CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM GLOSSARY

Anatomical Parts
Term Definition Equivalent Term
Atria Each of the two upper cavities
of the heart (singular: atrium)
Ventricles The two lower chambers of the
heart
Septum A muscle wall that divides the
left and right atrium (Atrial
septum), as well as the left and
right ventricle (Ventricular
septum)
Valves Prevent the backward flow of
blood. flaps that are located on
each end of the ventricles. They
act as one-way inlets of blood
on one-way outlets of blood on
the other side.
Arteries Carry oxygen-rich blood from
the heart to the rest of your
body.
Veins Carry low-oxygenated blood
from the rest of the body back
to the heart.
Arterioles Small branches of the arteries,
that branch out into capillaries.
Capillaries Smallest blood vessels that
facilitate substance exchange
with the different tissues.
Venules Tiny veins that receive blood
from capillaries.
Conditions
Term Definition Equivalent Term
Hypertension (High-Blood A condition in which the blood
Pressure) vessels have persistently raised
pressure.

Heart-Attack (Myocardial The blood flow that brings

Infarction) oxygen to the heart muscle is ‫ﻧوﺑﺔ ﻗﻠﺑﯾﺔ‬
severely reduced.
Stroke (Cerebrovascular The sudden death of brain cells
Accident-CVA) due to lack of oxygen, caused by
blockage of blood flow or
‫ﺳﻛﺗﺔ دﻣﺎﻏﯾﺔ‬
rupture of an artery to the
brain.
Arrhythmia Is an irregular or abnormal
heartbeat
Heart valve complications Can be either Stenosis (Can’t
open properly) or insufficient
(can’t close properly).
Heart Failure Condition in which the heart
muscle is unable to pump
enough blood to meet the
body's needs.
Aneurysm An excessive localized
enlargement of an artery ‫ﺗﺿﺧم وﻋﺎﺋﻲ‬
caused by a weakening of the
artery wall.
Arteriosclerosis Hardening of the arteries. ‫ﺗﺻﻠب‬
Atherosclerosis Deposition of plaques of fatty
material on their inner walls.
Cardiac Arrest Condition in which the heart
stops beating. ‫ﺗوﻗف اﻟﻘﻠب‬
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Narrowing or blockage of the
coronary arteries.
Murmur Whooshing or swishing sounds
caused by turbulent blood in or
near your heart.
Transient Ischemic Attack Brief episode of neurological
dysfunction from an
interruption in the blood supply
to the brain or the eye.
Thrombosis Condition where blood clots
block veins or arteries. ‫ﺗﺛﺧر‬
Carotid Stenosis Narrowing of the carotid ‫ﺗﺿﯾﻖ اﻟﺷرﯾﺎن اﻟﺳﺑﺎﺗﻲ‬
arteries.
Varicose Veins Twisted, enlarged veins. ‫دواﻟﻲ‬
Procedures, Testing, & Devices
Term
Blood test (Troponin)
EKG (electrocardiogram)
Echocardiogram
Stress test
Coronary Angiography
Arteriogram
Carotid endarterectomy
Stent
CPR (Cardiopulmonary
Resuscitation)
Pacemaker
Implantable Cardioverter
Defibrillator (ICD)
Balloon procedure
Ablation procedure
Definition Equivalent Term
Proteins found in the heart, and
when found in blood, they suggest
damage to the muscle.
Graph obtained by measuring
electrical impulses from the heart.
Ultrasound of the heart, used to
evaluate fun structure and function
of the heart.
EKG done while exercising to assess
how well your heart tolerates
exercise.
Image of the coronary arteries.
Obtain an image of the arterial
blood supply using x-rays with
contrast dye.
The removal of plaque in the
carotid artery.
A tubular support placed
temporarily inside a blood vessel, ‫واﻗﯾﺔ ﺷرﯾﺎﻧﯾﺔ‬
canal, or duct to aid healing or
relieve an obstruction.
A technique useful in many
emergencies, in which someone's
breathing or heartbeat has
stopped.
An artificial device for stimulating
the heart muscle and regulating its
contractions.
A device used to continuously
monitor and help regulate
potentially fast and life-threatening
electrical problems with the heart.
A special type of catheter with a
tiny balloon is inserted through an
artery until it reaches the blockage,
were it is inflated to open up the
artery and increase the blood flow.
A procedure that scars the heart,
blocking irregular electrical
impulses.