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Glossary
All
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Atheroma |
A mass of plaque that has formed in an artery. See also Plaque. |
| Atherosclerosis |
the progressive narrowing and hardening of the arteries caused by buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) on the artery walls over time. Atherosclerosis can reduce or block blood flow. |
| Atrial fibrillation |
a heart rhythm disorder in which the upper chambers of the heart (atria) contract rapidly and irregularly; a risk factor for heart failure and stroke |
| atrial septal defect (ASD) |
a type of congenital heart defect in which there is a hole in the heart muscle wall that separates the left atrium from the right atrium; this allows oxygen-rich blood to flow from the left atrium into the right atrium instead of into the left ventricle to be pumped to the rest of the body; over time they can stretch and weaken the right side of the heart, leading to heart failure |
| Atrioventricular (AV) node |
A bundle of cells that regulates the electrical current between the upper and lower chambers of the heart, maintaining heart rhythm. |
| Atrium |
One of the two upper chambers of the heart that receive blood from the lungs or body and push it into the ventricles. |
| atrophy |
wasting away of the muscles; women with PAD may develop atrophy of the leg muscles |
| Autonomic nervous system |
The involuntary nervous system that controls heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and other unconscious body functions. |
| B-type type natriuretic peptide(BNP) |
a blood test that measures the levels of a certain protein in your blood; high levels may be a sign of heart failure |
| Balloon angioplasty |
See Angioplasty. |
| Balloon-tipped catheter |
A type of catheter with a balloon at one end that can be inflated in order to clear a blocked blood vessel. It is used in angioplasty or valvuloplasty. |
| Balloon-valvuloplasty |
See Valvotomy or Valvuloplasty. |
| Bariatric Surgery |
A surgical procedure to reduce the size of the stomach and/or shorten the length of the digestive track to induce weight loss. Also called weight loss surgery, gastric bypass surgery is the most common type. |
| Beta-adrenergic receptors |
Nerve receptors whose function is to increase heart rate, dilate blood vessels, and regulate some metabolic functions of the body. Beta-blockers work by hindering their function. |
| Beta-blockers |
a class of drug that slows the heart rate and decreases the strength of each heartbeat, lowering your blood pressure and reducing stress on your heart; used to treat heart failure, angina, arrhythmias, and high blood pressure. |
