Cardiovascular Terminology: Complete Guide to Heart and Blood Vessel Terms

Cardiovascular terminology provides the specialized vocabulary that enables healthcare professionals throughout Dubai’s world-class medical facilities to communicate precisely about the heart and circulatory system, from the fundamental concepts of cardiac anatomy and physiology to the sophisticated terminology of arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and cardiac interventions. Cardiovascular disease represents the leading cause of mortality globally and in the UAE, making understanding this terminology essential for patients seeking to comprehend their diagnoses, engage meaningfully in treatment decisions, and participate actively in preventive care. Whether you are a healthcare professional refining your understanding, a patient managing a cardiac condition, or a family member supporting a loved one through cardiac care, this comprehensive glossary provides the foundation for understanding the language of cardiology used in Dubai’s hospitals, clinics, and cardiac centers.

The landscape of cardiovascular medicine has transformed dramatically with advances in diagnostic imaging, interventional procedures, and pharmacological therapy, enabling earlier detection, more effective treatment, and better outcomes for patients with heart disease. Dubai’s healthcare infrastructure reflects these advances, with state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization laboratories, advanced imaging facilities, and comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation programs. Understanding cardiovascular terminology helps patients navigate this sophisticated landscape, appreciate the rationale for diagnostic tests and treatments, and make informed decisions about their cardiac health. The terms presented in this glossary represent the essential vocabulary for understanding heart anatomy, cardiac examination findings, cardiac conditions, and cardiac procedures.

Cardiac Anatomy and Structure Terminology

Cardiac anatomy terminology describes the structures of the heart, from its chambers and valves to its blood supply and conduction system. Understanding cardiac anatomy helps patients appreciate how the heart works and what goes wrong in cardiac disease.

Heart (Cardiac Muscle) is the muscular organ that pumps blood through the circulatory system, composed of specialized cardiac muscle cells (myocytes) that contract in a coordinated fashion. Understanding cardiac muscle helps patients appreciate that the heart is not just a pump but a living, working organ susceptible to disease.

Atria are the upper chambers of the heart that receive blood returning to the heart. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body via the superior and inferior vena cava; the left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins. Understanding atria helps patients appreciate the heart’s filling chambers.

Ventricles are the lower chambers of the heart that pump blood out of the heart. The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs; the left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to the body. Understanding ventricles helps patients appreciate the heart’s pumping chambers and why left ventricular function is so important for survival.

Septum is the wall dividing the heart into right and left sides. The interatrial septum separates the atria; the interventricular septum separates the ventricles. Understanding the septum helps patients appreciate congenital heart defects and septal abnormalities.

Endocardium is the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves. Understanding endocardium helps patients appreciate endocarditis, infection of this lining.

Myocardium is the muscular middle layer of the heart wall, composed of cardiac muscle cells that contract to pump blood. Understanding myocardium helps patients appreciate myocardial infarction (heart attack) and cardiomyopathy.

Pericardium is the sac surrounding the heart, composed of the fibrous pericardium (outer tough layer) and serous pericardium (inner lubricated layers). Understanding pericardium helps patients appreciate pericarditis and pericardial effusion.

Epicardium is the outer layer of the heart wall, adjacent to the pericardium. Understanding epicardium helps patients appreciate the outer surface of the heart and epicardial fat.

Valves are structures that ensure one-way blood flow through the heart. The atrioventricular valves (tricuspid, mitral) separate atria from ventricles; the semilunar valves (pulmonary, aortic) separate ventricles from great vessels. Understanding valves helps patients appreciate valvular heart disease.

Tricuspid Valve is the right atrioventricular valve with three leaflets, allowing blood flow from right atrium to right ventricle. Understanding tricuspid valve helps patients appreciate right-sided valve disease.

Mitral Valve (Bicuspid Valve) is the left atrioventricular valve with two leaflets, allowing blood flow from left atrium to left ventricle. Understanding mitral valve helps patients appreciate the most commonly affected valve.

Pulmonary Valve is the semilunar valve allowing blood flow from right ventricle to pulmonary artery. Understanding pulmonary valve helps patients appreciate right ventricular outflow obstruction.

Aortic Valve is the semilunar valve allowing blood flow from left ventricle to aorta. Understanding aortic valve helps patients appreciate the valve most commonly replaced in elderly patients.

Chordae Tendineae are cord-like structures connecting valve leaflets to papillary muscles, preventing valve prolapse during ventricular contraction. Understanding chordae tendineae helps patients appreciate causes of mitral regurgitation.

Papillary Muscles are muscles in the ventricles that attach to valve leaflets via chordae tendineae, coordinating valve function during contraction. Understanding papillary muscles helps patients appreciate complications of myocardial infarction.

Coronary Arteries are the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle. The left coronary artery divides into left anterior descending and circumflex branches; the right coronary artery supplies the right ventricle and inferior wall. Understanding coronary arteries helps patients appreciate coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction.

Heart Sounds and Auscultation Terminology

Heart sounds and auscultation terminology describes the sounds heard during cardiac examination, providing important information about cardiac structure and function. Understanding heart sounds helps patients appreciate what physicians hear and why certain sounds indicate specific conditions.

S1 (First Heart Sound) is the sound caused by closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves at the beginning of ventricular systole. Understanding S1 helps patients appreciate normal heart sounds.

S2 (Second Heart Sound) is the sound caused by closure of the aortic and pulmonary valves at the end of ventricular systole. The aortic component (A2) is normally louder than the pulmonary component (P2). Understanding S2 helps patients appreciate normal heart sounds and physiological splitting.

Physiological Splitting is the normal variation in S2 where the pulmonary component is delayed relative to the aortic component during inspiration. Understanding physiological splitting helps patients appreciate normal respiratory variation.

Fixed Splitting is splitting of S2 that does not vary with respiration, seen in atrial septal defect. Understanding fixed splitting helps patients appreciate this congenital condition.

Paradoxical Splitting is splitting of S2 where the pulmonary component precedes the aortic component, seen in left bundle branch block and aortic stenosis. Understanding paradoxical splitting helps patients appreciate conduction abnormalities.

S3 (Third Heart Sound) is a low-frequency sound occurring in early diastole, caused by rapid ventricular filling. An S3 in adults indicates increased ventricular filling pressure, seen in heart failure or volume overload. Understanding S3 helps patients appreciate signs of heart failure.

S4 (Fourth Heart Sound) is a low-frequency sound occurring in late diastole, caused by atrial contraction against a stiff ventricle. An S4 indicates decreased ventricular compliance, seen in hypertension, aortic stenosis, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Understanding S4 helps patients appreciate signs of diastolic dysfunction.

Gallop Rhythms are heart rhythms with extra sounds resembling a galloping horse, including S3 gallop, S4 gallop, or summation gallop (both S3 and S4 when heart rate is fast). Understanding gallops helps patients appreciate signs of heart failure.

Murmur is an extra heart sound caused by turbulent blood flow, characterized by timing (systolic, diastolic, continuous), location, intensity (grade I-VI), quality, and radiation. Understanding murmurs helps patients appreciate the most common abnormal heart sound.

Systolic Murmur occurs during ventricular contraction, most commonly caused by aortic stenosis, pulmonic stenosis, mitral regurgitation, or ventricular septal defect. Understanding systolic murmurs helps patients appreciate common valvular conditions.

Diastolic Murmur occurs during ventricular relaxation, most commonly caused by aortic regurgitation, pulmonic regurgitation, or mitral stenosis. Understanding diastolic murmurs helps patients appreciate less common but important valvular conditions.

Continuous Murmur continues throughout systole and diastole, seen in patent ductus arteriosus, arteriovenous fistula, or coronary arteriovenous fistula. Understanding continuous murmurs helps patients appreciate these specific conditions.

Aortic Stenosis Murmur is a systolic crescendo-decrescendo murmur heard at the right upper sternal border, radiating to the carotids. Understanding aortic stenosis helps patients appreciate this common valve disease in elderly patients.

Mitral Regurgitation Murmur is a holosystolic murmur heard at the apex, radiating to the axilla. Understanding mitral regurgitation helps patients appreciate this common valve disease.

Mitral Stenosis Murmur is a diastolic rumbling murmur with presystolic accentuation, heard at the apex. Understanding mitral stenosis helps patients appreciate this consequence of rheumatic heart disease.

** Innocent Murmur** is a benign murmur without underlying cardiac disease, common in children and adolescents. Understanding innocent murmurs helps patients appreciate that not all murmurs indicate problems.

Arrhythmia Terminology

Arrhythmia terminology describes the specialized vocabulary of cardiac rhythm disturbances, from benign ectopy to life-threatening ventricular tachycardias. Understanding arrhythmia terminology helps patients recognize and understand rhythm abnormalities.

Arrhythmia (Dysrhythmia) is any disturbance of cardiac rhythm, including rate, regularity, or site of origin. Understanding arrhythmia helps patients appreciate that many rhythm disturbances are treatable.

Sinus Rhythm is normal cardiac rhythm originating from the sinoatrial (SA) node, with normal P waves preceding each QRS complex. Understanding sinus rhythm helps patients appreciate the normal baseline.

Sinus Tachycardia is sinus rhythm with heart rate >100 beats per minute, a normal response to exercise, stress, fever, or hypovolemia. Understanding sinus tachycardia helps patients appreciate appropriate heart rate elevation.

Sinus Bradycardia is sinus rhythm with heart rate <60 beats per minute, normal in athletes and during sleep. Understanding sinus bradycardia helps patients appreciate that slow heart rate can be normal.

Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC) is an early beat originating from the atria, felt as a “skipped beat.” Understanding PACs helps patients appreciate common benign arrhythmias.

Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC) is an early beat originating from the ventricles, felt as a “skipped beat” followed by a stronger beat. Understanding PVCs helps patients appreciate common benign arrhythmias.

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is chaotic, disorganized atrial activity with irregularly irregular ventricular response. Understanding AF helps patients appreciate this common arrhythmia causing stroke risk.

Atrial Flutter is organized atrial activity with “sawtooth” flutter waves, typically with regular ventricular response (commonly 2:1 or 4:1 block). Understanding atrial flutter helps patients appreciate this organized atrial arrhythmia.

Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) is rapid heart rate originating above the ventricles, including AVNRT, AVRT, and atrial tachycardia. Understanding SVT helps patients appreciate rapid heart rates and their treatments.

AV Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia (AVNRT) is the most common SVT, caused by reentry within the AV node. Understanding AVNRT helps patients appreciate common SVT and its cure with ablation.

Atrioventricular Reentrant Tachycardia (AVRT) is SVT caused by an accessory pathway between atria and ventricles (WPW syndrome). Understanding AVRT helps patients appreciate pre-excitation syndromes.

Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) is three or more consecutive ventricular beats at rate >100 bpm, potentially life-threatening. Understanding VT helps patients appreciate this serious arrhythmia requiring urgent treatment.

Monomorphic VT has uniform QRS morphology, typically arising from scar in patients with structural heart disease. Understanding monomorphic VT helps patients appreciate scar-related VT.

Polymorphic VT has varying QRS morphology, including torsades de pointes associated with long QT syndrome. Understanding polymorphic VT helps patients appreciate this dangerous arrhythmia.

Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) is chaotic, disorganized ventricular activity with no effective cardiac output, requiring immediate defibrillation. Understanding VF helps patients appreciate cardiac arrest and the importance of AEDs.

Heart Block is delay or interruption of conduction from atria to ventricles. Understanding heart block helps patients appreciate conduction system disease.

First-Degree AV Block is prolonged PR interval (>200 ms) with 1:1 conduction. Understanding first-degree block helps patients appreciate benign conduction delay.

Second-Degree AV Block is intermittent failure of conduction from atria to ventricles. Type I (Wenckebach) has progressive PR prolongation until dropped beat; Type II has constant PR with intermittent dropped beats. Understanding second-degree block helps patients appreciate conduction disease severity.

Third-Degree AV Block (Complete Heart Block) is complete dissociation between atrial and ventricular activity, with ventricular escape rhythm. Understanding third-degree block helps patients appreciate the need for pacemaker.

Bundle Branch Block is block of conduction in the right or left bundle branch, affecting QRS morphology. Understanding bundle branch block helps patients appreciate conduction system anatomy.

Long QT Syndrome is prolongation of the QT interval, predisposing to torsades de pointes and sudden cardiac death. Understanding long QT helps patients appreciate inherited arrhythmia syndromes.

Coronary Artery Disease Terminology

Coronary artery disease terminology describes the specialized vocabulary of atherosclerotic heart disease, from stable angina to acute myocardial infarction. Understanding CAD terminology helps patients appreciate the most common cause of heart attacks and its treatments.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, causing luminal narrowing and reduced blood flow to the myocardium. Understanding CAD helps patients appreciate the most common form of heart disease.

Atherosclerosis is a disease of arteries characterized by lipid accumulation, inflammation, and plaque formation in the arterial wall. Understanding atherosclerosis helps patients appreciate the underlying cause of most cardiovascular disease.

Plaque is the accumulated material in the arterial wall in atherosclerosis, consisting of lipids, inflammatory cells, smooth muscle cells, and extracellular matrix. Understanding plaque helps patients appreciate the material that narrows arteries.

Stable Angina is chest discomfort caused by myocardial ischemia during exertion or stress, relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. Understanding stable angina helps patients appreciate the classic presentation of CAD.

Unstable Angina is chest discomfort at rest or with minimal exertion, or new-onset angina, indicating increased risk of myocardial infarction. Understanding unstable angina helps patients appreciate this medical emergency.

Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) is myocardial infarction without ST elevation on ECG, caused by partial coronary occlusion. Understanding NSTEMI helps patients appreciate this type of heart attack.

ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) is myocardial infarction with ST elevation on ECG, caused by complete coronary occlusion. Understanding STEMI helps patients appreciate this emergency requiring immediate intervention.

Myocardial Infarction (MI) (Heart Attack) is death of myocardial tissue due to ischemia, typically from coronary artery occlusion. Understanding MI helps patients appreciate this common medical emergency.

ST Segment is the portion of ECG between the end of QRS and beginning of T wave, representing early ventricular repolarization. ST elevation or depression indicates myocardial ischemia or injury.

Q Wave is the negative deflection following the QRS complex. Pathological Q waves (>1mm or >1/3 R wave amplitude) indicate prior myocardial infarction.

Troponin is a protein released from damaged cardiac muscle, the most sensitive and specific marker of myocardial infarction. Understanding troponin helps patients appreciate cardiac biomarker testing.

Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB) is an isoenzyme of creatine kinase released from damaged cardiac muscle, a cardiac biomarker used less commonly now.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) is catheter-based treatment of coronary artery disease, including balloon angioplasty and stent placement. Understanding PCI helps patients appreciate treatment for acute coronary syndrome.

Angioplasty is dilation of a narrowed coronary artery using a balloon catheter. Understanding angioplasty helps patients appreciate the procedure that opens blocked arteries.

Stent is a metal scaffold placed in a coronary artery to maintain patency after angioplasty. Drug-eluting stents (DES) release medication to prevent restenosis; bare-metal stents (BMS) do not. Understanding stents helps patients appreciate coronary artery treatment.

Restenosis is recurrence of narrowing at the site of prior coronary intervention, typically due to neointimal hyperplasia. Understanding restenosis helps patients appreciate why follow-up is needed.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) uses grafts to bypass blocked coronary arteries, using internal mammary artery or saphenous vein grafts. Understanding CABG helps patients appreciate surgical treatment for multivessel CAD.

Heart Failure Terminology

Heart failure terminology describes the specialized vocabulary of the clinical syndrome where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. Understanding heart failure terminology helps patients manage this common and serious condition.

Heart Failure is a clinical syndrome characterized by symptoms (dyspnea, fatigue) and signs (edema, crackles) resulting from impaired cardiac filling or ejection. Understanding heart failure helps patients appreciate this common condition.

Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF) is heart failure with EF <40%, previously called systolic heart failure. Understanding HFrEF helps patients appreciate reduced pumping function.

Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) is heart failure with EF >=50%, previously called diastolic heart failure. Understanding HFpEF helps patients appreciate stiff heart syndrome.

Ejection Fraction (EF) is the percentage of blood ejected from the ventricle with each contraction, measured by echocardiography or other imaging. Understanding EF helps patients appreciate a key measure of heart function.

Systolic Dysfunction is impaired ventricular contraction, causing reduced EF. Understanding systolic dysfunction helps patients appreciate pumping problems.

Diastolic Dysfunction is impaired ventricular relaxation and filling, causing preserved EF but elevated filling pressures. Understanding diastolic dysfunction helps patients appreciate filling problems.

Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) is thickening of the left ventricular wall, typically from hypertension or aortic stenosis. Understanding LVH helps patients appreciate the heart’s response to pressure overload.

Left Ventricular Dilation is enlargement of the left ventricular cavity, typically from volume overload or systolic dysfunction. Understanding dilation helps patients appreciate the heart’s response to various stresses.

Dyspnea is difficulty breathing, the most common symptom of heart failure. Understanding dyspnea helps patients recognize heart failure symptoms.

Orthopnea is dyspnea when lying flat, relieved by sitting up, caused by redistribution of blood to the lungs. Understanding orthopnea helps patients recognize heart failure symptoms.

Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea (PND) is sudden dyspnea awakening the patient from sleep, caused by interstitial pulmonary edema. Understanding PND helps patients recognize heart failure symptoms.

Edema is swelling from fluid accumulation in tissues, typically in dependent areas (ankles, sacrum). Understanding edema helps patients recognize heart failure signs.

Ascites is fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity, a late sign of right heart failure. Understanding ascites helps patients recognize severe heart failure.

Jugular Venous Distension (JVD) is visible fullness of the jugular veins, indicating elevated right atrial pressure. Understanding JVD helps patients recognize right heart failure signs.

Pulmonary Edema is fluid accumulation in the lung alveoli, causing severe dyspnea, typically from left heart failure. Understanding pulmonary edema helps patients appreciate this medical emergency.

Cardiogenic Shock is inadequate tissue perfusion due to cardiac failure, with hypotension and organ dysfunction. Understanding cardiogenic shock helps patients appreciate this life-threatening condition.

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) uses biventricular pacing to improve ventricular coordination in patients with dyssynchrony. Understanding CRT helps patients appreciate device therapy for heart failure.

Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) is a device that detects and treats ventricular arrhythmias, reducing sudden cardiac death in patients with reduced EF. Understanding ICD helps patients appreciate sudden death prevention.

Valvular Heart Disease Terminology

Valvular heart disease terminology describes the specialized vocabulary of acquired and congenital valve abnormalities, from stenosis to regurgitation. Understanding valvular terminology helps patients appreciate valve disease and its treatments.

Valvular Stenosis is narrowing of a valve opening, restricting blood flow. Understanding stenosis helps patients appreciate obstruction to forward flow.

Valvular Regurgitation (Insufficiency) is incomplete closure of a valve, allowing blood to flow backward. Understanding regurgitation helps patients appreciate backward flow through valves.

Aortic Stenosis is narrowing of the aortic valve opening, obstructing left ventricular outflow. Understanding aortic stenosis helps patients appreciate this common valve disease in elderly patients.

Aortic Regurgitation is backflow of blood from aorta to left ventricle during diastole due to aortic valve incompetence. Understanding aortic regurgitation helps patients appreciate volume overload of the left ventricle.

Mitral Stenosis is narrowing of the mitral valve opening, obstructing left atrial emptying. Understanding mitral stenosis helps patients appreciate this consequence of rheumatic heart disease.

Mitral Regurgitation is backflow of blood from left ventricle to left atrium during systole due to mitral valve incompetence. Understanding mitral regurgitation helps patients appreciate the most common valve disease.

Mitral Valve Prolapse is displacement of mitral valve leaflets into the left atrium during systole, sometimes causing mitral regurgitation. Understanding MVP helps patients appreciate this common finding.

Tricuspid Stenosis is narrowing of the tricuspid valve, obstructing right atrial emptying. Understanding tricuspid stenosis helps patients appreciate right-sided valve disease.

Tricuspid Regurgitation is backflow of blood from right ventricle to right atrium during systole. Understanding tricuspid regurgitation helps patients appreciate common functional tricuspid regurgitation.

Pulmonary Stenosis is narrowing of the pulmonary valve, obstructing right ventricular outflow. Understanding pulmonary stenosis helps patients appreciate congenital and acquired right-sided obstruction.

Pulmonary Regurgitation is backflow of blood from pulmonary artery to right ventricle during diastole. Understanding pulmonary regurgitation helps patients appreciate this condition.

Rheumatic Heart Disease is cardiac damage from rheumatic fever, typically affecting mitral and aortic valves. Understanding rheumatic heart disease helps patients appreciate a cause of valve disease.

Endocarditis is infection of the heart valves or endocardium, causing valve destruction and embolic phenomena. Understanding endocarditis helps patients appreciate this serious complication of bacteremia.

Valve Repair preserves and restores native valve function without replacement. Understanding repair helps patients appreciate valve-sparing options.

Valve Replacement replaces a diseased valve with a mechanical or biological prosthesis. Understanding replacement helps patients appreciate valve replacement options.

Mechanical Valve is an artificial valve made of metal and pyrolytic carbon, requiring lifelong anticoagulation. Understanding mechanical valves helps patients appreciate durability and anticoagulation needs.

Bioprosthetic Valve is an artificial valve made from animal or human tissue, not requiring long-term anticoagulation but having limited durability. Understanding bioprosthetic valves helps patients appreciate tissue valve options.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is catheter-based aortic valve replacement, performed without open surgery, typically for high-risk patients. Understanding TAVR helps patients appreciate minimally invasive valve replacement.

Congenital Heart Disease Terminology

Congenital heart disease terminology describes the specialized vocabulary of heart defects present at birth. Understanding congenital terminology helps patients appreciate these conditions and their treatments.

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is a heart defect present at birth, ranging from simple (small VSD) to complex (single ventricle). Understanding CHD helps patients appreciate these conditions.

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is an opening in the interatrial septum, allowing shunting of blood between atria. Understanding ASD helps patients appreciate this common congenital defect.

Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) is an opening in the interventricular septum, allowing shunting of blood between ventricles. Understanding VSD helps patients appreciate the most common congenital heart defect.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) is persistence of the fetal connection between pulmonary artery and aorta, causing left-to-right shunt. Understanding PDA helps patients appreciate this congenital condition.

Coarctation of the Aorta is narrowing of the aorta, typically just distal to the left subclavian artery, causing upper extremity hypertension. Understanding coarctation helps patients appreciate this congenital obstruction.

Tetralogy of Fallot is a cyanotic congenital heart defect with four components: VSD, pulmonary stenosis, right ventricular hypertrophy, and overriding aorta. Understanding tetralogy helps patients appreciate this important cyanotic CHD.

Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) is a cyanotic defect where the aorta arises from the right ventricle and pulmonary artery from the left ventricle. Understanding TGA helps patients appreciate this serious congenital defect.

Single Ventricle Physiology is a group of defects where only one ventricle is functional, requiring staged palliation. Understanding single ventricle helps patients appreciate complex congenital anatomy.

Eisenmenger Syndrome is pulmonary hypertension causing reversal of left-to-right shunt to right-to-left, with cyanosis. Understanding Eisenmenger helps patients appreciate end-stage shunt complications.

Shunt is an abnormal connection allowing blood to flow from one chamber/ vessel to another. Understanding shunt helps patients appreciate how congenital defects cause problems.

Cyanosis is bluish discoloration of skin and mucous membranes from deoxygenated hemoglobin. Understanding cyanosis helps patients recognize hypoxemia.

Palliation is treatment that relieves symptoms but does not cure, used for complex congenital heart disease. Understanding palliation helps patients appreciate staged treatment approaches.

Cardiac Procedure and Device Terminology

Cardiac procedure and device terminology describes the specialized vocabulary of cardiac interventions, from diagnostic catheterization to device implantation. Understanding this terminology helps patients appreciate cardiac procedures.

Cardiac Catheterization is insertion of a catheter into the heart chambers or coronary arteries for diagnosis or treatment. Understanding catheterization helps patients appreciate this fundamental cardiac procedure.

Coronary Angiography is X-ray imaging of coronary arteries using contrast injection through a catheter. Understanding angiography helps patients appreciate the gold standard for coronary imaging.

Left Heart Catheterization is catheterization of the left side of the heart, primarily for coronary and left ventricular imaging.

Right Heart Catheterization (Pulmonary Artery Catheterization) is catheterization of the right side of the heart for pressure measurements and oximetry. Understanding right heart cath helps patients appreciate hemodynamic assessment.

Swan-Ganz Catheter is a balloon-tipped catheter used for right heart catheterization, measuring pulmonary artery pressure and cardiac output.

Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) is measurement of pressure difference across a coronary stenosis to assess functional significance. Understanding FFR helps patients appreciate physiology-guided PCI.

Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) uses ultrasound from within an artery to visualize vessel wall and plaque characteristics. Understanding IVUS helps patients appreciate detailed coronary imaging.

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) uses light-based imaging from within an artery for high-resolution visualization. Understanding OCT helps patients appreciate detailed coronary imaging.

Pacemaker is an implanted device that generates electrical impulses to treat bradyarrhythmias. Understanding pacemakers helps patients appreciate treatment for slow heart rates.

Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) is an implanted device that detects and treats ventricular tachyarrhythmias with pacing or shock. Understanding ICDs helps patients appreciate sudden death prevention.

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) is biventricular pacing to improve ventricular coordination in heart failure with dyssynchrony. Understanding CRT helps patients appreciate device therapy for heart failure.

Implantable Loop Recorder is an implanted device that continuously monitors heart rhythm for extended periods. Understanding loop recorders helps patients appreciate long-term rhythm monitoring.

Electrophysiology Study (EPS) is invasive testing of the cardiac conduction system to evaluate arrhythmias. Understanding EPS helps patients appreciate diagnostic testing for arrhythmias.

Catheter Ablation uses catheter-based energy delivery to destroy tissue causing arrhythmias. Understanding ablation helps patients appreciate curative treatment for many arrhythmias.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is mechanical support that oxygenates blood outside the body, used for severe cardiac or respiratory failure. Understanding ECMO helps patients appreciate temporary life support.

Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) is a mechanical pump that assists the failing left ventricle, used as bridge to transplant or destination therapy. Understanding LVAD helps patients appreciate advanced heart failure treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between systolic and diastolic heart failure? Systolic heart failure (HFrEF) has reduced ejection fraction with impaired contraction; diastolic heart failure (HFpEF) has preserved EF with impaired relaxation and filling.

What causes heart murmurs? Murmurs are caused by turbulent blood flow from valvular stenosis, regurgitation, septal defects, or increased flow across normal structures.

What is the difference between atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter? Atrial fibrillation has chaotic atrial activity with irregular ventricular response; atrial flutter has organized atrial activity with sawtooth waves and usually regular ventricular response.

What is a normal ejection fraction? Normal ejection fraction is typically 55-70%. EF <40% indicates systolic dysfunction; EF >=50% with symptoms indicates HFpEF.

What is the difference between stable angina and unstable angina? Stable angina occurs with predictable exertion and is relieved by rest/nitroglycerin; unstable angina occurs at rest, with new onset, or increasing severity, indicating high heart attack risk.

What is the difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest? Heart attack (myocardial infarction) is death of heart muscle from blocked coronary artery; cardiac arrest is electrical malfunction causing sudden loss of heartbeat and consciousness.

What is the treatment for atrial fibrillation? Treatment includes rate control, rhythm control (medications or ablation), and stroke prevention (anticoagulants). Treatment choice depends on symptoms and patient preference.

What is an ICD? An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is a device implanted in the chest that detects dangerous ventricular arrhythmias and delivers a shock to restore normal rhythm, preventing sudden cardiac death.

What is the difference between CABG and PCI? CABG (bypass surgery) creates new routes around blockages using grafts; PCI (angioplasty/stent) opens blockages from within the artery using balloons and stents.

What is TAVR? Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is a minimally invasive procedure to replace the aortic valve, typically for patients at high or intermediate surgical risk.

What are the symptoms of heart failure? Symptoms include shortness of breath (dyspnea), orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, fatigue, weakness, swelling (edema), and exercise intolerance.

What causes congenital heart disease? Causes include genetic factors, maternal conditions during pregnancy (diabetes, rubella), medications, and environmental factors, though many causes are unknown.

What is the difference between aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation? Aortic stenosis is narrowing of the valve obstructing forward flow; aortic regurgitation is leakage allowing backward flow from aorta to ventricle.

What is a heart block? Heart block is delay or interruption of electrical conduction from atria to ventricles, classified as first, second (Type I and II), or third degree (complete).

What is the SA node? The sinoatrial node is the heart’s natural pacemaker, located in the right atrium, generating electrical impulses that initiate each heartbeat.

What is the AV node? The atrioventricular node is located at the junction of atria and ventricles, slowing conduction to allow atrial contraction before ventricular contraction.

What is coronary artery disease? Coronary artery disease is atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries causing luminal narrowing, leading to angina, heart attack, and heart failure.

What is a stent? A stent is a metal scaffold placed in a coronary artery during angioplasty to keep the artery open and prevent restenosis.

What is cardiac rehabilitation? Cardiac rehabilitation is a structured program of exercise training, education, and counseling to improve recovery and reduce risk in patients with heart disease.

What is the difference between PVC and PAC? PVC (premature ventricular contraction) originates from ventricles; PAC (premature atrial contraction) originates from atria. Both are common benign arrhythmias.

What is the normal heart rate? Normal resting heart rate is 60-100 beats per minute. Athletes may have lower resting rates (50-60) which is normal.

What is the difference between mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation? Mitral stenosis is narrowing obstructing flow from left atrium to left ventricle; mitral regurgitation is leakage allowing backflow from ventricle to atrium.

What is an echocardiogram? An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to create images of the heart, measuring chamber size, wall thickness, valve function, and ejection fraction.

What causes high blood pressure? Primary (essential) hypertension has no single cause but relates to genetics, diet, obesity, and lifestyle. Secondary hypertension has specific causes (kidney disease, hormonal disorders).

What is the treatment for bradycardia? Treatment for symptomatic bradycardia includes addressing underlying causes and pacemaker implantation if medical therapy is ineffective.

Key Takeaways

Cardiovascular terminology provides the specialized vocabulary for understanding heart anatomy, cardiac examination findings, cardiac conditions, and cardiac procedures. Understanding cardiac anatomy (chambers, valves, coronary arteries) and examination findings (heart sounds, murmurs) helps patients appreciate how the heart works and what goes wrong in disease. Recognizing arrhythmia terminology (atrial fibrillation, heart block, ventricular tachycardia) helps patients understand rhythm abnormalities. Understanding coronary artery disease (angina, myocardial infarction), heart failure (HFrEF, HFpEF), and valvular heart disease (stenosis, regurgitation) helps patients comprehend common cardiac conditions. Knowing cardiac procedures (catheterization, PCI, CABG, TAVR, devices) helps patients appreciate treatment options. Dubai’s healthcare system offers comprehensive cardiac care, and understanding cardiovascular terminology empowers patients to participate actively in their cardiac health.

Related Glossary Terms

• Pathology Medical Terms - Understanding pathology suffixes
• Laboratory and Test Terminology - Understanding diagnostic tests
• Pharmacology and Medication Terminology - Drug-related terminology
• Surgical and Procedure Terminology - Surgical terminology

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Understanding cardiovascular terminology helps you become a more informed participant in your cardiac care. At Healer’s Clinic Dubai, our team of experienced healthcare professionals is dedicated to helping you understand your heart health, manage cardiac conditions, and prevent cardiovascular disease. Whether you need cardiac screening, consultation about a cardiac condition, or comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation, our integrated approach combines conventional medicine with evidence-based complementary therapies to support your optimal cardiovascular health and wellbeing.

Contact our friendly team today to schedule your appointment and experience healthcare that puts your understanding and comfort first.

Important Medical Disclaimer: This glossary is provided for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for medical concerns. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.