ablation = the process of destroying tissue; for example ablation may be used to destroy an area in the heart that is causing an abnormal heart rhythm
angina = the result of a lack of oxygen supply to the heart muscle, due to a reduced blood flow around the heart's blood vessels.
angiography = a study in which dye is injected into a blood vessel and pictures are taken
artherosclerosis = condition in which lipids (fats) collect under the inner lining of damaged artery walls, eventually narrowing or blocking the artery and obstructing blood flow
beta-blockers = a class of medicines used to treat angina, high blood pressure, and sometimes, abnormal heart rhythms
catheter = a long, thin, flexible, hollow tube, which is used in the study of the heart and blood vessels
collateral vessel = a branch of an artery running parallel with the parent trunk.
dyspnea = (shortness of breath) perceived difficulty breathing or pain on breathing.
dysrhythmia = a cardiac dysrhythmia, also called cardiac arrhythmia, is a disturbance in the regular rhythm of the heartbeat.
electrocardiogram = a graphic display of the electrical activity of the heart
graded exercise tolerance test = A test used to provide information about how the heart responds to stress. It usually involves walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bike at increasing levels of difficulty, while the electrocardiogram, heart rate and blood pressure are monitored.
heparin = a blood thinner or anticoagulant; must be given by injection
hypercholesterolemia = high blood levels of cholesterol
hyperplasia = enlargement of a tissue or organ due to an abnormal increase in the number of cells.
hypertension = high blood pressure
lumen = the lumen is the cavity or channel within a tube or tubular structure, such as the vascular lumen of a blood vessel, along which blood flows.
myocardial infarction = death of heart muscle due to interruption of its blood supply; usually caused by the rupture of a plaque with clot formation that totally blocks blood supply to a portion of the heart; also called a heart attack
niacin = a B vitamin used to treat high triglycerides; also raises high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lowers total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
nuclear stress test = a test using radioactive chemicals to detect areas of the heart which are not receiving adequate blood supply
restenosis = recurrence of the restriction of the coronary artery after corrective surgery.
revascularization = a surgical procedure for the provision of a new, augmented, or restored blood supply to the heart
statins = a class of medicines that is very effective in treating high cholesterol and decreasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiac death.
substernal = Deep to the sternum
tachycardia = abnormally fast heart rate; also called tachyarrhythmia
thrombolytic therapy = medicines that dissolve clots
vasodilator = a substance that causes blood vessels in the body to become wider by relaxing the smooth muscle in the vessel wall, or vasodilation. This will reduce blood pressure(since there is more room for the blood) and might allow blood to flow around a clot.