ATHEROSCLEROSIS
This term describes the build-up of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on your artery walls.
What is plaque?
This term refers to an irregular or abnormal heartbeat.
What is arrhythmia?
This term describes the chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.
What is angina pectoris?
This common term describes the procedure where a balloon is used to widen narrowed or blocked arteries.
What is angioplasty?
This is the most common symptom of coronary heart disease, often described as chest pain or discomfort.
What is angina?
This type of blood vessel is primarily affected by atherosclerosis.
What are arteries?
This small structure in the right atrium is known as the heart's natural pacemaker.
What is the sinoatrial (SA) node?
This is the most common type of angina, typically triggered by physical exertion or stress.
What is stable angina?
A stent is typically made from this type of material and is used to keep arteries open after angioplasty.
What is metal (or a metal mesh)?
This fatty substance builds up in the arteries, leading to coronary heart disease.
What is plaque?
This "good" cholesterol helps reduce the risk of atherosclerosis by carrying cholesterol away from the arteries.
What is HDL (high-density lipoprotein)?
This type of arrhythmia causes a very fast heart rate, often over 100 beats per minute, originating in the atria.
What is supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)?
This medication, placed under the tongue, is commonly used to quickly relieve angina symptoms.
What is nitroglycerin?
This type of stent is coated with medication to help prevent the artery from closing again.
What is a drug-eluting stent?
This test uses electrodes placed on the chest to detect heart problems by measuring the electrical activity of the heart.
What is an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)?
Atherosclerosis can lead to this event, where blood flow to the heart is blocked, often causing chest pain or heart damage.
What is a heart attack (or myocardial infarction)?
This device can be implanted in patients to correct dangerous heart rhythms by delivering electrical shocks.
What is an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)?
This type of angina occurs unpredictably and often at rest, caused by a spasm in a coronary artery.
What is variant angina (or Prinzmetal's angina)?
Angioplasty is most commonly used to treat this condition, often caused by atherosclerosis.
What is coronary artery disease?
Name two modifiable risk factors for coronary heart disease.
What are smoking and high blood pressure?
This common diagnostic test uses sound waves to visualize blood flow and plaque in arteries.
What is a Doppler ultrasound (or carotid ultrasound)?
This common test records the electrical activity of the heart and helps diagnose arrhythmias.
What is an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)?
This diagnostic test uses a treadmill and an ECG to assess how the heart responds to exertion.
What is a stress test?
The artery in this part of the body is most commonly accessed to perform a coronary angioplasty.
What is the groin (femoral artery) or wrist (radial artery)?
This medical procedure can open narrowed coronary arteries by inflating a small balloon and sometimes placing a stent.
What is angioplasty (or percutaneous coronary intervention)?