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Glossary
F
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| FACES |
an acronym for the main signs of heart failure: Fatigue, Activities limited, Chest congestion, Edema (swelling), Shortness of breath |
| Factor V Leiden (FVL) |
An inherited defect that affects the factor V blood clotting protein. People with FVL have a high risk of blood clot problems including heart attack at an early age. |
| Factor XIII |
A blood clotting protein. Inherited defects that affect this protein may increase your risk of blood clotting problems. |
| Familial hypercholesterolemia |
High cholesterol that runs in the family. |
| FAST |
a mnemonic for remembering the signs of stroke and the importance of getting prompt treatment: Face, Arms, Speech, Time |
| Femoral artery |
A large artery in the thigh. |
| Ferritin |
A protein that binds and stores iron. |
| Fibrates |
Drugs that lower cholesterol by reducing triglycerides and increasing HDL cholesterol. |
| Fibric acid derivative |
See Fibrates |
| Fibrillation |
Abnormally rapid, inefficient contractions of the atria or ventricles that can prevent the heart from pumping enough blood. |
| Fibrinogen |
A component of blood necessary for clotting. It is broken down into fibrin. |
| fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) |
a genetic disease in which the cells in the walls of the arteries grow abnormally, reducing blood flow |
| Fluoroscope |
An X-ray device that helps to produce moving images of internal organs, such as the heart. The X-rays pass through the body and onto a screen where an organ's functioning can be observed in action. |
| Framingham Risk |
A calculation that takes into account a number of different risk factors to determine your risk of developing heart disease within the next 10 years. |
| functional capacity |
your ability to perform basic physical tasks; used to measure how much heart disease is affecting your daily life and if treatment is helping your symptoms |
