Medical Glossary

ECG Stress Test (Exercise Electrocardiogram)

A diagnostic test that evaluates for coronary artery disease. You exercise on a treadmill while you are hooked up to an ECG. The doctor monitors the test for ECG changes that indicate narrowed blood vessels.

Echocardiogram

A diagnostic test that uses an ultrasound probe (with sound waves) to produce images of the heart. The images show the shape, texture, and movement of the valves and measure the size of the heart and its chambers. The test also assesses heart function, a very important determinant of survival after a heart attack.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

A diagnostic test that records electrical currents to detect abnormal heart rhythm.

Endocarditis

Infection of a heart valve.

Endothelium

The lining of the arterial wall. The endothelium helps to maintain normal function of the artery, including the ability to dilate and contact.

Fibric Acid Derivative

A class of cholesterol-lowering medications that work primarily to reduce triglycerides and increase HDL ("good") cholesterol.

Framingham Heart Study

A federally funded study that has tracked 5,209 adults in Framingham, Massachusetts, since 1948 to find out the epidemiology of cardiovascular disease.

Glycemic Index

A numerical system of measuring how fast a carbohydrate triggers a rise in circulating blood sugar; the higher the number, the faster the blood sugar response.

HDL Cholesterol

High-density lipoprotein or "good" cholesterol.

Heart Attack

An incident of heart muscle damage due to the complete blockage of blood flow through a coronary artery. The blockage may be caused by a blood clot or a spasm of the artery.

Heart Disease

Collectively, the diseases of the heart muscle, the heart valves, and the coronary arteries.

Heart Rate

The number of times a heart beats per minute.