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Glossary
U
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| ulcer |
an open sore that is slow to heal or does not heal at all; ulcers on the legs or feet may be a sign of peripheral vascular disease |
| Ultrasound |
High-frequency sound waves that are used for diagnostic and treatment purposes. |
| Unsaturated fats |
A type of dietary fat that does not raise cholesterol levels. Unsaturated fats come in two forms: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. |
| Unstable angina |
Chest pain that is unpredictable because it does not occur during or after a trigger such as stress or exercise. The chest discomfort may even occur at rest and may occur more readily and more frequently over time. |
| Unstable plaque |
Plaques that, in comparison to stable plaques, have a larger fatty core, more white blood cells encased within, and a thinner, softer, more unpredictable coating that might be stripped off at any time without warning, which can cause a plaque rupture. See also Plaque rupture. |
| urinalysis |
analysis of a urine sample to determine how well your kidneys are working; this test looks for any physical or chemical changes in urine, such as color, clarity, and the presence of certain compounds; abnormal results may indicate that kidney artery disease has reduced blood flow to your kidneys |
