CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Epicardium

Covers the outer surface of the heart.

Myocardium

Middle layer; contracting muscle.

Endocardium

Innermost layer; lines inner chamber and heart valves.

Pericardium

Encases and protects the heart from trauma and infection.

Parietal Pericardium

Tough fibrous membrane that attaches to the sternum, thoracic vertebrae and diaphragm.

Visceral Pericardium

Thin membrane that attaches to the heart.

Pericardial Space

Space holding 5-20 ml of fluid that lubricates the pericardial surfaces.

Right Atrium

Receives deoxygenated blood from the body via SVC and IVC.

Right Ventricle

Receives blood from the RA and pumps it to the lungs via Pulmonary Artery.

Left Atrium

Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs via the 4 pulmonary veins.

Left Ventricle

Largest and most muscular chamber; pumps oxygenated blood into systemic circulation via aorta.

Atrio-Ventricular Valves

Valves between the atria and the ventricles.

Semilunar Valves

Open when ventricles contract and prevent blood from flowing back into ventricles.

Bicuspid or Mitral Valve

Located at the left side of the heart.

Tricuspid Valve

Located at the right side of the heart.

Pulmonic Valve

Between RV and Pulmonary Artery.

Aortic Semilunar Valve

Between LV and Aorta.

Sinoatrial Node (SA node)

Pacemaker of the heart; initiates each heartbeat.

Atrioventricular Node (AV node)

Receives electrical impulse from the SA node.

Bundle of HIS

Fuses with AV node to form another pacemaker site.

Purkinjie Fibers

Spread waves of depolarization through ventricles.

Coronary Arteries

Supply the myocardium with blood.

S1 Heart Sound

Heard when the AV valve closes.

S2 Heart Sound

Heard when the semilunar valve closes.

CK-MB

Most definitive marker for cardiac damage; rises within 4-6 hours.

LDH

Rises within 1-2 days; if LDH 1 is higher than LDH 2 = MI.

Troponin I

Rises within 3 hours post myocardial infarction.

Myoglobin

Rises after 1 hour post myocardial injury.

Cardiac Catheterization

Best test for cardiac pathology; determines patency of the artery.

Digoxin Toxicity

Signs include vomiting, anorexia, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain.

ACE Inhibitors

Drugs that lower blood pressure by preventing the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II.

Cardiogenic Shock

Condition characterized by low blood pressure and decreased tissue perfusion.

S3 Heart Sound

Associated with congestive heart failure (CHF).

Pulmonary Artery

Carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.

Aorta

Largest artery that carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body.

Pulsus Paradoxus

Decreased blood pressure during inspiration; indicative of cardiac tamponade.

Dressler's Syndrome

Acute pericarditis occurring 2-3 weeks post myocardial infarction.

Endocarditis

Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart and heart valves.

Arrhythmias

Irregular heartbeats caused by problems with electrical signaling in the heart.

Pacemaker

Device used to regulate the heart rate in patients with arrhythmias.

Vagal Maneuver

Technique used to slow a fast heart rate by stimulating the vagus nerve.

Valvular Heart Disease

Disorders affecting one or more of the heart valves.

Peripheral Vascular Disease

Affects blood vessels outside the heart and brain.

Raynaud's Phenomenon

Vasospastic disorder causing color changes in response to temperature or stress.

Venous Disorders

Conditions affecting the veins, including thrombophlebitis and varicose veins.

Aneurysm

Outward bulging of a vessel due to weakness in the vessel wall.

Hypertension

High blood pressure; can cause various health issues.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Used to help people stop smoking.

Buerger's Disease

A type of vascular disease that affects blood flow to the limbs.

Ankle Brachial Index

Test used to measure blood flow to the legs; helps diagnose peripheral artery disease.

Digoxin

Medication used to treat heart conditions; can cause toxicity.

Thromboangiitis Obliterans

Condition causing blood vessel inflammation; often associated with smoking.

Cholesterol

A waxy substance found in blood; high levels can lead to heart disease.

NSAIDs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used to reduce pain and inflammation.

Pacemaker ID Card

Identification card for patients with pacemakers.

Anticoagulants

Medications to prevent blood clots.

Fibrinolytic Drugs

Medications used to dissolve blood clots.

Troponin T

Another marker used to diagnose myocardial infarction.

Lifestyle Modification

Changes in daily habits to improve health and well-being.

Cardiac Rehab

Program to help improve the health and well-being of people with heart problems.

Cyanosis

Bluish discoloration of skin due to low oxygen levels.

Electrolytes

Minerals in the body that affect many bodily functions including heart rhythm.

Myocardial Infarction (MI)

Heart attack; occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked.

Sodium Restriction

Limiting sodium intake to reduce blood pressure.

Diuretics

Medications that help reduce fluid buildup in the body.

EKG

Test that records the electrical activity of the heart.

Pulse Rate

Speed of the heartbeat, measured in beats per minute.