Johns Hopkins Heart Glossary
Derived from The Johns Hopkins White Paper 2007: Coronary Heart Disease and
The Johns Hopkins White Paper 2007: Heart Attack Prevention
A B C D E F G H
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A
aneurysm
Ballooning or bulging of the wall of the heart, an artery, or a vein caused by weakening of the wall.
angina
Pain, pressure, or tightness in the chest that arises when the heart muscle receives less oxygen than it needs.
angiography
An imaging technique in which a catheter is threaded through an artery to the heart to evaluate the presence of plaque. It is the best method for detecting blockages in the coronary arteries.
angioplasty
A procedure in which a catheter with a balloon at its tip is directed to a site where a coronary artery is narrowed by plaque. The balloon is inflated to compress the plaque against the walls of the artery and to stretch the artery.
anticoagulants
Drugs that decrease the formation of blood clots by inhibiting the production of fibrin, a major protein component of clots. Examples are heparin and warfarin (Coumadin).
antioxidants
Substances that help the body neutralize free radicals. Beta-carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin C are naturally occurring antioxidants.
antiplatelets
Drugs that decrease the formation of blood clots by inhibiting the aggregation, or clumping together, of blood platelets. One example is aspirin.
aorta
The body’s main artery. It transports oxygenated blood from the left ventricle of the heart to the arteries that supply the rest of the body.
arrhythmia
An abnormal heart rhythm.
atherectomy
A method of removing plaque from the inside of an artery using a rotary blade or drill.
atherosclerosis
An accumulation of deposits of fat and fibrous tissue, called plaques, within the walls of arteries. This process narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow through them.
atria
The two upper chambers of the heart. The left atrium receives newly oxygenated blood from the lungs; the right atrium receives blood returning from the rest of the body.
atrial fibrillation
A common heart rhythm abnormality in which the atria contract at a rapid, chaotic rate and cause rapid and irregular contractions of the ventricles.
B
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body mass index (BMI)
A measurement of weight in relation to height.
bradycardia
A slow heart rate, usually defined as less than 60 beats per minute in an adult.
bypass surgery
A surgical procedure that uses an artery from the chest or a portion of a vein from the leg to channel blood around a narrowed segment of a coronary artery.
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C
cardiac arrest
A sudden, abrupt loss of the heart’s ability to pump blood, most often as a result of ventricular fibrillation.
cardiovascular disease
Disease affecting the arteries supplying blood to the heart and other organs. Coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease are the most common cardiovascular diseases.
cerebrovascular disease
Disease that affects arteries supplying blood to the brain.
cholesterol
A soft, waxy substance present in cells throughout the body. Deposits of cholesterol within the walls of arteries can lead to the formation of plaques.
coronary calcium scan
A noninvasive imaging technique that reveals calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. Calcium indicates atherosclerosis.
coronary heart disease (CHD)
A narrowing of the coronary arteries by atherosclerosis. It can reduce or completely block blood flow to the heart.
coronary heart disease (CHD) event
Often defined as a heart attack, episode of unstable angina, or CHDrelated death.
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D
defibrillation
Use of an electric shock to reestablish a normal rhythm in a heart that is beating ineffectively as a result of ventricular fibrillation.
diastolic blood pressure
The lower number in a blood pressure reading. The pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes between beats.
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E
echocardiography
A diagnostic test that uses ultrasound waves to visualize the heart, its valves, and the flow of blood within the heart.
electrocardiogram (ECG)
A graphical record of the heart’s electrical activity obtained by applying small metal sensors to the skin.
endothelium
The layer of cells that line the walls of arteries. Injury to these cells is an important first step in the development of atherosclerosis.
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F
free radicals
Chemical compounds formed during normal metabolism. They can damage cells and oxidize low-density lipoproteins, which can then be deposited in the walls of arteries.
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G
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H
heart attack
Tissue death caused by the complete blockage of blood flow to a portion of the heart muscle. Technically known as a myocardial infarction.
heart failure
A condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
A lipoprotein that protects against atherosclerosis by removing cholesterol deposited in artery walls and returning this cholesterol to the liver.
Holter monitor
A portable device worn to monitor the heart’s rhythm, usually for 24 hours.
homocysteine
High blood levels of this amino acid may promote atherosclerosis by damaging the endothelium and stimulating the formation of blood clots.
hypertension
Chronic high blood pressure that can increase the workload of the heart and lead to CHD.
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I
ischemia
An inadequate supply of blood to any part of the body. Ischemia to the heart may cause chest pain.
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J
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K
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L
laser ablation
A method of removing plaque from the inside of an artery using heat from a laser.
lipids
Fats, like cholesterol, that can travel through the bloodstream and can accumulate within the artery walls.
lipoprotein
A protein that transports cholesterol and other fats in the blood.
lipoprotein(a)
A lipoprotein with a structure similar to low-density lipoprotein but containing another protein called apo(a). High levels of lipoprotein(a) are a risk factor for CHD. Also called Lp(a).
low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
A lipoprotein that transports cholesterol in the bloodstream. A major contributor to atherosclerosis.
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M
monounsaturated fat
A type of fat found in avocados, almonds, and olive and canola oils. Can raise HDL cholesterol and, when substituted for saturated fat in the diet, can lower LDL cholesterol.
myocardium
The muscle of the heart.
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N
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O
omega-3 fats
Polyunsaturated fats found in fish and some plant foods that have beneficial effects on the heart.
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P
pacemaker
An implanted, battery-operated device that can take the place of the heart’s normal pacemaker when it is not functioning properly.
peripheral arterial disease
A narrowing of the arteries in the extremities, usually the legs. Commonly due to atherosclerosis.
plaque
An accumulation of cholesterol-laden foam cells, smooth muscle cells, fibrous proteins, and calcium in the walls of arteries.
platelets
Small, irregularly shaped blood components that play a key role in the clotting process.
polyunsaturated fat
A type of fat found in safflower, sunflower, and corn oils. Can lower LDL cholesterol when substituted for saturated fat in the diet.
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Q
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R
radiofrequency catheter ablation
A technique for treating arrhythmias that uses radio waves to suppress or destroy the site producing an abnormal electrical circuit within the heart.
restenosis
Renarrowing of an artery that has been opened during angioplasty.
revascularization
A procedure to improve blood flow to the heart. Usually refers to bypass surgery or angioplasty.
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S
saturated fat
A type of fat found in most animal and dairy fats and some oils, such as palm and coconut oils. A major dietary factor in raising total and LDL cholesterol.
stable angina
An episode of angina triggered by a predictable amount of activity or stress. The characteristics of the pain are similar in each attack, and the pain is usually relieved by rest or a nitrate drug.
statins
The most popular class of lipid-lowering drugs. The most effective medications for lowering total and LDL cholesterol levels.
stent
A wire mesh tube that is permanently inserted into a coronary artery during angioplasty to help keep it open.
systolic blood pressure
The upper number in a blood pressure reading. The pressure in the arteries when the heart is contracting.
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T
tachycardia
A heart rhythm abnormality characterized by a heart rate higher than 100 beats per minute at rest.
trans fats
Fats formed when food manufacturers add hydrogen atoms to unsaturated fats to make them more saturated, solid, and shelf stable. Found in stick margarines, store-bought baked goods, and other processed foods. Trans fats raise LDL cholesterol more than saturated fats and lower HDL cholesterol.
triglycerides
A type of lipid (fat) that is a storage form of energy. High levels of triglycerides in the blood contribute to atherosclerosis.
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U
unstable angina
A condition intermediate in severity between stable angina and a heart attack. Caused by a blood clot or spasm in a coronary artery.
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V
ventricles
The two chambers in the lower part of the heart. The left ventricle receives blood from the left atrium and pumps it to the rest of the body; the right ventricle receives blood from the right atrium and pumps it to the lungs.
ventricular fibrillation
A heart rhythm abnormality in which the pumping action of the ventricles is completely lost. Death occurs within a few minutes unless the heart’s rhythm is returned to normal by administering an electrical shock to the heart.
ventricular tachycardia
A heart rhythm abnormality that originates in the ventricles and produces a heart rate faster than 100 beats per minute. Can be fatal if not treated.
very–low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)
A lipoprotein that is the major carrier of triglycerides in the blood.
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X
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Y
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Derived from
The Johns Hopkins White Paper 2007: Coronary Heart Disease and
The Johns Hopkins White Paper 2007: Heart Attack Prevention
Look In the Book: Coronary Heart Disease
