Medical Glossary

Blood Pressure

The pressure that blood exerts against the inside walls of major arteries. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Systolic pressure is pressure at the time when the heart is pumping blood out to the body; it is the top number of a blood pressure reading. Diastolic pressure is pressure at the time when the heart is relaxed. It is the bottom number of the reading.

Blood Thinner

A class of medications used to reduce blood clotting.

Bradycardia

a type of arrhythmia in which the pulse rate is slower than 60 beats per minute.

C-Reactive Protein

A Protein that is increased in the blood in response to inflammation. It is a marker of increased heart disease risk.

Calcium Channel Blocker

A class of medications that lower blood pressure, slow heart rate, and treat arrhythmias such as supraventricular tachycardia.

Cardiac Catheterization

A dye study (angiogram) to evaluate the coronary arteries and the pumping chamber of the heart.

Cardiovascular Disease

Any disease of the heart, heart valves, blood vessels, and arteries, including stroke, hypertension, rheumatic fever, and heart attack.

Cardioversion

An electrical shock to the heart, used to regulate its rhythm.

Carotid Endarterectomy

A surgical procedure to remove plaque from the carotid artery.

Cholesterol

A waxy, fat-like substance found in the blood that helps produce hormones and cell structures necessary for the body to function normally. Elevated cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Claudication

Pain in the calves on exertion because of peripheral vascular disease, or atherosclerosis of the arteries in the legs.

Coronary Angiography

A diagnostic procedure that uses dye to image the coronary arteries. It evaluates the arteries for obstructions responsible for angina or a heart attack. The image produced in angiography is an angiogram.