A-Z Heart Related Glossary

A is for Arrhythmia
An arrhythmia is a condition of abnormal heart rhythm that makes the heart beat too fast or too slow. Several factors, including stress, alcohol, smoking, and certain medications, can cause it. An arrhythmia can lead to serious heart problems if left untreated.

B is for Blood Pressure
Blood pressure forces blood against the walls of the arteries and damages the heart, kidneys, and other organs in the body. It can also increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Blood pressure can be managed through a healthy diet, regular exercise, and medication.

C is for Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a type of fat that is found in the blood. High cholesterol levels result in plaque buildup, increasing the risk of heart disease. It is important to monitor cholesterol levels and take steps to keep them in a healthy range.

D is for Diabetes
Diabetes happens due to pancreatic disorders, and the body cannot maintain blood sugar levels in such a situation. It can damage the blood vessels and increase the risk of heart disease. Managing diabetes through medication, diet, and exercise can reduce the risk of heart problems.

E is for Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram creates images of the heart through sound waves. It is used to evaluate heart structure and function and diagnose heart-related issues.

F is for Fibrillation
Fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm, is caused by several factors, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and excessive alcohol consumption. Fibrillation can lead to serious heart problems if left untreated.

G is for Guanabenz
Guanabenz, also known by its brand name Wytensin, is a medication primarily used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It belongs to a class of medications called alpha-2 adrenergic agonists, which work by stimulating certain receptors in the brain to reduce the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in lowered blood pressure.

H is for Heart Failure
Heart failure is a condition where the heart cannot pump blood effectively. Several factors, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, can cause it. Its symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, and leg swelling.

I is for Ischemia
Ischemia is a condition with a lack of blood flow to the heart. Several factors, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and smoking, can cause it. Ischemia can lead to serious heart problems if left untreated.

J is for Jugular Vein
The jugular vein runs from the head and neck to the heart. It is an important vein that carries blood to the heart and can be used to assess heart function.

K is for Kegel Exercises
Kegel exercises are exercises that are designed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. They can help improve bladder and bowel control, as well as improve sexual function. Kegel exercises can also improve blood flow to the heart.

L is for Lipid Profile
A lipid profile requires a blood test that measures cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It evaluates the risk of heart disease and monitors cholesterol-lowering medications’ effectiveness. 

M is for Myocardial Infarction
A Myocardial Infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops in the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. Most MIs occur due to coronary artery disease.

N is for Nitroglycerin
Nitroglycerin is a medication used to treat chest pain caused by angina. It works by relaxing the blood vessels & increase the blood flow to the heart. Nitroglycerin can be taken orally or as a spray or patch.

O is for Oxygen
Oxygen is essential for the body to function properly, including the heart. Adequate oxygen levels are necessary for the heart to pump blood effectively. Low oxygen levels can lead to serious heart-related issues.

P is for Pacemaker
A pacemaker generally gets implanted under the skin to regulate the heart rhythm. It is used to treat arrhythmias and other heart-related issues.

Q is for QRS Complex
The QRS complex is a wave pattern on an electrocardiogram (ECG) that represents the electrical activity of the ventricles. It is used to evaluate the heart’s rhythm and function.

R is for Rheumatic Heart Disease
Rheumatic heart disease is when the heart valves are damaged due to rheumatic fever. It can lead to serious heart problems, including heart failure and arrhythmias. Rheumatic heart disease can be prevented by treating rheumatic fever promptly.

S is for Stroke
A stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is blocked or interrupted. Several factors, including high blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes, can cause it. Stroke can lead to serious health problems, including heart-related issues.

T is for Tachycardia
Tachycardia is when the heart beats too fast and happens mostly due to stress, anxiety, and intake of certain medications. Tachycardia can lead to serious heart problems, and it can’t be left untreated.

U is for Ultrasound
The high-frequency sound waves create images of the heart, evaluate its structure and function, and diagnose heart-related issues.

V is for Valvular Heart Disease
Valvular heart disease is when the heart valves are damaged or diseased. Several factors, including rheumatic fever, congenital heart defects, and aging, can cause it. Valvular heart disease can lead to serious heart problems if left untreated.

W is for Warfarin
Warfarin is a medication used to prevent blood clots. It is commonly used to treat or prevent heart-related issues, including atrial fibrillation and deep vein thrombosis.

X is for X-Ray
An X-ray is a test that uses radiation to create images of the heart and other organs in the body. It is used to evaluate the heart’s structure and function and diagnose heart-related issues.