Cardiology Glossary

Chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, typically due to coronary artery disease.

A catheter-based procedure using a balloon to widen a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel, often followed by stent placement.

Any abnormality in the heart's rhythm, including conditions where the heart beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly.

A chronic inflammatory disease involving the buildup of lipid-rich plaques within arterial walls.

A heart rate slower than 60 beats per minute, which may be normal in athletes or pathological if symptomatic.

The volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute, equal to stroke volume multiplied by heart rate.

A group of diseases affecting the heart muscle, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively.

The restoration of a normal heart rhythm using electrical shock (synchronized) or medications (pharmacological).

A procedure using radiofrequency energy or cryotherapy to destroy small areas of heart tissue causing abnormal electrical signals.

An invasive imaging procedure using contrast dye and X-rays to visualize the coronary arteries and identify blockages.

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, a common symptom of heart failure and other cardiac conditions.

An ultrasound-based imaging technique used to assess cardiac structure, function, and hemodynamics.

The percentage of blood ejected from the left ventricle with each heartbeat, used as a measure of cardiac systolic function.

An infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves, most often caused by bacteria.

A delay or complete interruption in electrical conduction between the atria and ventricles through the AV node.

An abnormal sound heard during a heartbeat, often caused by turbulent blood flow through stenotic or regurgitant valves.

Insufficient blood supply to a tissue or organ, in cardiology referring specifically to reduced coronary blood flow to the myocardium.

Narrowing of the mitral valve opening that impedes blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle.

An implantable device that delivers electrical impulses to the heart muscle to maintain an adequate heart rate.

The double-layered fibroserous sac surrounding the heart, providing protection and reducing friction during cardiac motion.

The degree of stretch of cardiac muscle fibers at end-diastole, determined by venous return and ventricular filling volume.

Abnormal narrowing of a blood vessel or heart valve that restricts blood flow.

A small mesh tube placed inside a blood vessel during angioplasty to keep it open and maintain blood flow.

A heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute, which may originate from the atria, ventricles, or accessory pathways.

A life-threatening arrhythmia in which the ventricles quiver chaotically instead of contracting, resulting in no cardiac output.