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Glossary
S
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Saccular aneurysm |
A round bulge that sticks out from a weak part of an artery. |
| Saphenous vein |
A vein in the leg that is often removed and used during coronary bypass surgery to bypass the blocked vessel. |
| Saturated fats |
Fatty acids that include most animal fats in addition to palm, palm kernel, and coconut oils. |
| sclerotherapy |
The most common treatment for varicose veins. A liquid or foam is injected into the vein, causing the vein walls to stick together and seal shut. Also called vein injection. |
| Secondary hypertension |
High blood pressure caused by another medical problem; usually goes away once the original problem is corrected |
| Secondary unstable angina |
Chest pain that is not caused by heart disease, but by other health issues, such as fever or hypotension. |
| Sedentary |
Inactive; a sedentary lifestyle refers to people who do not get enough exercise. |
| segmental pressure measurement |
a test used to diagnose PAD; similar to an ankle-brachial index (ABI) test, except that several cuffs are used to take blood pressure measurements in different parts of your leg; this test can show the general location of a narrowing or blockage in your leg arteries |
| Selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) |
Estrogen-like drugs that target specific sites where estrogen is protective, such as the bones. |
| Semilunar valves |
Crescent-shaped heart valves, including the aortic and pulmonary valves. |
| Septum |
The wall dividing the left and right sides of the heart. |
| serum creatinine test |
a routine blood test that measures how well your kidneys are working; high levels of creatinine indicate that your kidneys may not be filtering the blood properly |
| serum electrolytes |
a routine blood test that measures the amount of different molecules that carry an electric charge in your blood; abnormal levels can be caused by heart failure, kidney problems, or other conditions |
| Shock |
A condition marked by insufficient blood supply to vital parts of the body, depriving them of oxygen and causing them to temporarily stop functioning. If not immediately treated, it can lead to brain damage or even death. See Cardiogenic shock. |
| Shunt |
A passage that connects two channels and redirects blood from one to the other. It may occur as a birth defect or be created surgically to treat blood flow problems. |
