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Glossary
M
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Mini-stroke |
see "TIA" |
| Mitral regurgitation (insufficiency) |
Failure of the mitral valve to close properly, permitting some blood to flow backwards into the left atrium rather than moving forward into the left ventricle. |
| Mitral valve |
One of four heart valves, it maintains the one-way flow of blood from the left atrium to the left ventricle by opening and shutting as the heart muscle expands and contracts. Also called the bicuspid valve. |
| Mitral valve prolapse |
A congenital abnormality in which the flaps of tissue that make up the mitral valve are larger than normal. |
| Monounsaturated fats |
Fatty acids found in foods such as olive oil and nuts. When monounsaturated fats are substituted for saturated fats, cholesterol levels improve. |
| MR venography |
an alternative to the standard venography test to diagnose deep vein thrombosis and vein disease; this test uses a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner and an injected dye to produce images of the veins and blood flow through them |
| Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome |
See Kawasaki disease. |
| Multigated acquisition (MUGA scan) |
A radioisotope test used to measure heart functioning and performance. |
| Multivessel disease |
Disease of the blood vessels in which more than one vessel (usually arteries) is blocked or impaired in some way. |
| Murmur |
See Heart murmur. |
| Myocardial infarction |
Commonly known as heart attack. The death of heart tissue from a blockage in a coronary artery. |
| Myocarditis |
An inflammation of the heart muscle. |
| Myocardium |
The heart muscle. |
| Myopathy |
Muscle weakness. |
| Myxomatous degeneration |
A metabolic process in which valve tissue loses its elasticity and becomes redundant. |
