Cardiology Terms

syncope (SING-kŏ-pē)

• brief lapse in consciousness (faint)

• a type of headache

• a heart condition

• a form of paralysis

arrhythmia (ā-RITH-mē-ă)

• a condition where the heart beats too fast

• a deviation in the normal pattern of the heartbeat

• a type of heart disease

• a symptom of high blood pressure

diaphoresis (dī-ă-fŏ-RĒ-sĭs)

• excessive sweating

• dry skin

• shivering

• increased heart rate

occlude (ŏ-KLOOD)

• block or close tightly

• open or release

• allow to pass through

• create an opening

sphygmomanometer (sfĭg-mō-măn-ŎM-ĕt-ĕr)

• instrument used to measure blood pressure

• device for measuring heart rate

• tool for checking blood sugar levels

• gadget for monitoring oxygen levels

stethoscope (STETH-ŏ-skōp)

What is a stethoscope used for?

• An instrument used to hear heart and lung sounds

• A device for measuring blood pressure

• A tool for examining the throat

• A machine for performing X-rays

aneurysm (AN-yŭ-rizm)

What is the definition of an aneurysm?

• Localized dilation of the wall of a blood vessel

• A type of blood clot

• A condition causing high blood pressure

• An inflammation of the blood vessel wall

systole (SIS-tŏ-lē)

• Phase in cardiac cycle when ventricles contract and eject blood.

• Phase in cardiac cycle when the heart is at rest.

• Phase in cardiac cycle when blood fills the atria.

• Phase in cardiac cycle when the heart rate is at its peak.

bruit (brwē)

• abnormal blowing, swishing heart sound heard on auscultation, which is present when there is a narrowing of an artery and risk for stroke

• a normal heart sound that indicates healthy blood flow

• a high-pitched sound heard in the lungs during breathing

• a sound produced by the stomach during digestion

diastole (dī-AS-tŏ-lē)

• Phase in the cardiac cycle where heart muscles contract to pump blood out.

• Phase in the cardiac cycle where heart muscles relax allowing the chambers to fill with blood.

• Phase in the cardiac cycle where the heart is at rest and not pumping blood.

• Phase in the cardiac cycle where the heart beats rapidly without relaxation.