Ablation — A procedure that is used to destroy cardiac tissue or conduction pathways that may be causing heart rhythm problems. Small wires called electrodes placed inside the heart during the procedure. These wires measure electrical activity in the heart and destroys problem areas.
Algorithm — A set of precise rules or procedures programmed into a pacemaker or defibrillator that are designed to solve a specific problem.
Angina — A symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD), angina is chest pain or discomfort when blood flow to the heart is restricted. During angina, pain or pressure can be felt in the heart, shoulders, arms, neck, jaw or back. It may feel like indigestion.
Angioplasty — A procedure that can restore blood flow to the heart by opening blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. Angioplasty is commonly used to improve symptoms of coronary heart disease (CHD), reduce damage to the heart muscle caused by a heart attack and reduce to the risk of death in certain patients.
Aortic Aneurysm — An abnormal dilation of the aorta, aortic aneurysms can cause pain, occlusion of the blood supply to various organs, serious bleeding, or even death. There are two types of aortic aneurysms: thoracic aortic aneurysm and abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Angiography — A procedure that uses a special dye and x-rays to see how blood flows through the heart. During angiography, a catheter is passed through an artery and up into the heart. Dye is injected into the catheter and x-ray images are taken to see how the dye moves through the artery.
Arrhythmia — A disorder of the heart’s electrical system indicated by a heart rate that is either too slow or too fast. The four main types of arrhythmia are premature (extra) beats, supraventricular, arrhythmias, ventricular arrhythmias, and bradyarrhythmias.
Atherosclerosis — A condition that occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries and form hard structures called plaques. Atherosclerosis can cause heart attack, stroke, or even death.
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) — A common type of arrhythmia in which the heart rhythm is fast and irregular. People who suffer from AF may not know it; however, if left untreated, there is a higher risk of stroke or heart failure.
Bradycardia — A heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute (BPM) in adults. A heart rhythm that is too slow can cause insufficient blood flow to the brain.
CABG — Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery is a common treatment for people with coronary artery disease. It is a type of surgery that improves blood flow to the heart.
Cardiac Arrest — Failure of the heart to pump blood through the body. Known causes of cardiac arrest include coronary heart disease, heart attack, electrocution, drowning, or choking.
Cardiac Catheterization — A medical procedure used to diagnose and treat certain heart conditions.
Cardiomyopathy — A disease that weakens and enlarges the heart muscle. There are three main types of cardiomyopathy: dilated, hypertrophic and restrictive.
Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) — The most common type of birth defect, congenital heart disease is caused by abnormal development of the heart prior to birth.
Coronary Arteries — The arteries that surround the heart and supply blood containing oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) — A type of heart disease that occurs when a buildup of cholesterol and other fats, calcium and elements (plaque) build up inside the coronary arteries. Plaque forms in the arteries over many years in a process called atherosclerosis.
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) — A painless test that records changes in the electrical activity of the heart. An EKG is used to access heart rhythm, diagnose blood flow to the heart, diagnose a heart attack, and evaluate heart abnormalities.
Electrophysiology Study (EP Study) — An invasive, cardiac catheterization procedure that records the electrical activity of the heart. An EP Study is preformed to determine the cause of abnormal heart rhythm, to locate the site of an abnormal heart rhythm, and to choose appropriate treatment.
Hypertension — Abnormally high blood pressure. Normal blood pressure in adults should be 120/80 mmHg. Pressures above 140/90 are considered high. Pressure above 180/110 is considered severe.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy — A disease in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, making it harder for the heart to pump blood. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can lead to heart failure or cardiac arrhythmias.
Mitral stenosis — A condition that occurs when the mitral valve does not open properly, causing blood flow to be blocked from the left ventricle. The main cause of mitral valve stenosis is rheumatic fever.
Myocardial Infarction — Also known as a heart attack, a myocardial infarction indicates the death of a heart muscle caused by a blood clot in one of the coronary arteries.
Myocardial Ischemia — A condition that occurs when blood flow to the heart is decreased by a partial or complete blockage of an artery. A decrease in blood flow reduces the heart’s oxygen supply.
Pacemaker — A small electronic device used to treat arrhythmias. This device is placed in the chest or abdomen to maintain an adequate heart rate.
Premature Ventricular Complex (PVC) — An electrical impulse that starts in the ventricle causing the heart to beat earlier than expected.
Pulmonary valve stenosis — A condition in which blood flow from the heart to the lungs is slowed by a deformed pulmonary valve, or a deformity above or below the valve. This defect occurs when the unborn baby (fetus) is developing.
Regurgitation — A condition that occurs when the mitral valve does not close tightly, allowing blood to flow backward in the heart.
Restenosis — A recurring blockage of the coronary artery after angioplasty.
Stent — A small tube with slots that is placed into narrowed coronary arteries to help keep them open after angioplasty.
Supraventricular Tachycardia — Rapid rhythm of the heart that begins in the atria. Symptoms of supraventricular tachycardia include: palpitations, lightheadedness, dizziness, loss of consciousness, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Syncope — A brief loss of consciousness caused by temporary lack of oxygenated blood.
Tachycardia — An abnormally rapid heart rate. Tachycardias can disrupt normal heart function, increase the risk of stroke, cause sudden cardiac arrest, or death.
Tricuspid Valve Disease — Abnormal function of the tricuspid valve. There are two types of tricuspid disease: tricuspid regurgitation and tricuspid stenosis.
Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) — An extremely rapid heart rhythm originating in the ventricles. VF causes immediate loss of consciousness and can be life threatening. It is the most common cause of sudden death.
Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome — A condition that occurs in individuals who are born with an extra electrical pathway in the heart.
