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Glossary
S
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Stable plaque |
Plaque that develops a relatively thick covering due to calcification. Stable plaques are the primary cause of atherosclerosis. |
| Stage A |
The first stage in the ACC/AHA Classification of heart failure; women at high risk for developing heart failure but without damage to the heart |
| Stage B |
The second stage in the ACC/AHA Classification of heart failure; women with damage to the heart but who have never had symptoms of heart failure; for example, those who have had heart attack |
| Stage C |
The third stage in the ACC/AHA Classification of heart failure; women with heart failure symptoms caused by damage to the heart, including shortness of breath, tiredness, inability to exercise |
| Stage D |
The fourth stage in the ACC/AHA Classification of heart failure; women who have advanced heart failure and severe symptoms difficult to manage with standard treatment |
| Stasis |
Reduced or discontinued flow. |
| Statin |
Class of drugs that lower cholesterol. |
| Stenosis |
Narrowing of a blood vessel or valve. See also Restenosis. |
| Stents |
Tiny, wire-mesh tubes that are implanted to prop open clogged arteries. See also Drug-eluting stents. |
| stress echocardiogram |
a combination of an echocardiogram test and a stress (exercise) test; used to see how your heart muscle performs when it is working hard (stressed) |
| Stress test |
An electrocardiogram performed while the patient exercises in a controlled manner on a treadmill or stationary bicycle at varied speeds and elevations. This test can help detect heart vessel irregularities, disease, and damage. See also Electrocardiogram. |
| Stroke |
Interruption of blood flow to parts of the brain caused by a blocked or bleeding artery that results in the death of cells in the brain. Also known as a brain attack. See also Ischemic stroke and Hemorrhagic stroke. |
| Stroke belt |
An area in the southeastern US, particularly South Carolina, North Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Georgia, that has an unusually high rate of stroke and heart disease |
| Stroke volume |
The amount of blood that the heart pumps out at each contraction. |
| Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) |
bleeding in the tissue or space surrounding the brain |
