Anatomy of the Heart and Cardiovascular System
The heart and circulatory system make up your cardiovascular system. Your heart works as a
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The heart and circulatory system make up your cardiovascular system. Your heart works as a
Electrical impulses from your heart muscle (the myocardium) cause your heart to beat (contract). This
Coronary Circulation The heart muscle, like every other organ or tissue in your body, needs
The fetus does not use its own lungs until birth, so its circulatory system is
Your heart is located between your lungs in the middle of your chest, behind and
Your heart is located between your lungs in the middle of your chest, behind and
A heartbeat is a two-part pumping action that takes about a second A heartbeat is
The one-way vascular system carries blood to all parts of your body. This process of
Blood is carried from your heart to the rest of your body through a complex
The one-way vascular system carries blood to all parts of your body. This process of
Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from your heart, and veins carry oxygen-poor blood back to
Angiography is an x-ray technique in which dye is injected into the chambers of your
Cardiac catheterization is a method doctors use to perform many tests and procedures for diagnosing
MRI is a scan that lets doctors see inside the body without having to perform
Keeping up your exercise routine in cold weather has extra benefits. First, outdoor exercise is
A CT scan (“cat scan”) is an x-ray technique that uses a computer to create
Imaging Tests Computed tomography (CT or CAT scan) is an X-ray technique that uses a
Many diagnostic tests available today can show doctors if you have heart or vascular disease.
Echocardiography uses sound waves to produce an image of the heart and to see how
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a routine test that is used to look at
Electrophysiology studies, or EPS, use cardiac catheterization techniques to study patients who have irregular heartbeats
An exercise stress test is a common test that doctors use to diagnose coronary artery
Holter monitoring gives doctors a constant reading of your heart rate and rhythm over a
Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or intravascular echocardiography is a combination of echocardiography and cardiac catheterization Intravascular
A nuclear stress test lets doctors see pictures of your heart while you are resting
A nuclear ventriculography scan is a test using radioisotope dye that tracks blood flow through
A PET scan is an imaging test that helps doctors to see how your heart
Echocardiography uses sound waves to produce an image of the heart and to see how
Like standard echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) uses sound waves to produce an image of the
An aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in an artery An aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge
Angina pectoris is a Latin phrase that means “strangling in the chest.” Patients describe angina
An aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in the wall of a weakened blood vessel. If
Aortic stenosis (AVS) is a narrowing of the aortic valve, which is the valve that
Arrhythmias are further defined by the speed of the heartbeats. Your heart pumps nearly 5 quarts
Much like the coronary arteries, the peripheral arteries can be blocked by plaque. What causes
Atrial fibrillation (also called AFib or AF) is the most common type of supraventricular arrhythmia
A septal defect is a hole in the septum, the muscle wall separating the chambers
Canal defect (also known as atrioventricular septal defect or endocardial cushion defect) means there is
Brugada syndrome is an unusual genetic disorder of the heart’s electrical system. Although people are
Buerger’s disease is related to smoking. The disease causes swelling of the small and medium-sized
Sometimes part of the heart’s conduction system is “blocked.” If an impulse is blocked as
Cardiomyopathy means “disease of the heart muscle.” Cardiomyopathy damages the muscle tone of the heart
Carotid artery disease affects the vessels leading to the head and brain (cerebrovascular disease). Carotid
Arrhythmias are generally divided into two categories: ventricular and supraventricular. Ventricular arrhythmias occur in the
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease of the lungs. About 15 million people
Congenital heart defects are heart problems present at birth. They happen when the heart does
A coronary artery anomaly (CAA) is a defect in one or more of the coronary
Diastolic dysfunction often occurs in people with certain types of cardiomyopathy. A heartbeat is a
Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common form of heart muscle disease. Although it is found
Diseases of the heart valves are grouped according to which valve or valves are involved
The mitral valve regulates the flow of blood from the upper-left chamber (the left atrium)
Diseases of the tricuspid and pulmonary valves are fairly rare. The pulmonary valve regulates the
Diseases of the heart valves are grouped according to which valve or valves are involved
Double outlet right ventricle (DORV) is a rare form of congenital heart disease. Double outlet
Ebstein’s anomaly (also called Ebstein’s malformation or simply Ebstein anomaly) is a defect that mainly
Many heart attacks are caused by a complete blockage of a vessel in your heart,
Heart failure means that your heart is not pumping as well as it should to
Normal heart sounds come in pairs. The sounds are often described as a constant “lub-dub,
Hypertension, the medical term for high blood pressure, is known as “the silent killer.” More
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited disease that directly affects the heart muscle. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is rare but serious. It is the most common cause
Certain variables play important roles in a person’s chances of developing heart disease. These variables
In patients with MVP, one or both of the mitral valve leaflets are enlarged, and the
When the heart muscle becomes inflamed (myocarditis), it cannot pump as well because of damage
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder that affects more than 18 million Americans, and
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a defect in which the temporary blood vessel connecting the
The foramen ovale lets blood flow directly from the right atrium to the left atrium
Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, causing the amount of fluid between the two layers
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) involves damage to or blockage in the blood vessels distant from
The word “atresia” means “no opening.” The word “atresia” means “no opening.” With pulmonary atresia,
Pulmonary embolism is caused by a blood clot (pulmonary embolus) that breaks loose from where
Pulmonary stenosis is a narrowing of the valve that lets blood flow from the lower-right
Raynaud’s phenomenon happens more often in women. It is a circulation disorder that causes the
Ischemia is a condition where the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a part of the
Infective endocarditis is an infection of the lining of the heart’s chambers (called the endocardium)
Kawasaki disease leads to swelling (inflammation) of the body’s tissues and if left untreated, can
Long Q-T syndrome (LQTS) is a disorder of the heart’s conduction system. The disorder affects
Marfan syndrome is a rare disorder that causes the connective tissue in the body to
Studies have led to better therapies and more information about the heart after a heart
Restrictive cardiomyopathy is the least common form of cardiomyopathy Restrictive cardiomyopathy is the least common
Before antibiotic medicines became widely used, rheumatic fever was the single biggest cause of valve
Electrical impulses from your heart muscle cause your heart to beat (contract). This electrical signal
Stroke is a form of cerebrovascular disease, meaning it affects the vessels that supply blood
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is also called sudden cardiac death Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when
Tetralogy of Fallot is made up of 4 heart defects Tetralogy of Fallot is made
Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection is a rare condition in which the pulmonary veins are
The “great arteries” are the pulmonary artery and the aorta The “great arteries” are the
The word “atresia” means “no opening.” In tricuspid atresia, the valve is missing between the
The heart’s lower-right chamber (the right ventricle) and lower-left chamber (the left ventricle) are divided
There are 2 kinds of ischemic stroke: thrombotic stroke and embolic stroke Ischemic Stroke (caused
Not much can be done to prevent valve disease, but it is still important to
Varicose veins are swollen, purple veins in the legs that are visible under your skin.
Nearly 6 million Americans have a blood clot in their veins (also called venous thrombus,
A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a hole in the part of the septum that
Swelling (inflammation) is your body’s natural reaction to an injury. Inflammation can happen anywhere—on the
1. Eat more fruits and vegetables. 2. Eat more fish and chicken. Substitute ground turkey
Extra weight can lead to increased total cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and an increased
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance called a lipid that is found in all body cells.
Signs and symptoms of a heart attack . . . and what to do about
Cardiovascular disease can take many forms: high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease,
Does the road to heart health start in childhood? Yes. Most risk factors that affect
What are Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke? The risks of exercising in hot and humid
Cardiovascular disease can take many forms: high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease,
Does the road to heart health start in childhood? Yes. Most risk factors that affect
What are Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke? The risks of exercising in hot and humid
Mineral Needed For Good Sources Calcium Healthy bones and teeth, nerve conduction, muscle contraction, blood
A balanced diet can help you reduce your risk of heart disease by lowering your
Obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease. This is alarming when you consider
Most people know that cigarette and tobacco smoking increases the risk of lung cancer and
1. Limit the amount of potato chips and other salty snacks that you eat. 2.
What They Do and Where to Get Them Trace Element Needed For Good Sources Chromium
The Nutrition Facts food label is changing to provide more detailed consumer information. Food products
Omega-3 fatty acids are also known as “fish oil.” Studies have shown that these polyunsaturated
Heart disease is no longer considered a disease that affects just men. Heart disease is
Thousands of heart surgeries are performed every day in the United States. Thousands of heart
An aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in an artery. An aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge
Interventional cardiologists perform angioplasty, which opens narrowed arteries. They use a long, thin tube called
Carotid artery disease is a form of disease that affects the blood vessels leading to
Carotid endarterectomy is a type of surgery used to remove plaque from the carotid artery.
Catheter ablation is a procedure where energy is used to treat the site of an
Bypass surgery is the most common type of heart surgery with more than 200,000 procedures
The first heart transplants were performed in the late 1960s. But it was not until
ICDs are for people who have had an abnormal, fast heart rate that caused them
Surgeons are using minimally invasive heart surgery techniques (also referred to as limited-access surgery) to
For patients with end-stage lung disease, lung transplantation offers hope for a second chance at
Maze surgery cures atrial fibrillation by creating a “maze” of new electrical pathways to let
Electrical impulses from the heart muscle cause your heart to beat (contract). This electrical signal
Angioplasty and Stent Procedures Cardiac catheterization is a method doctors use to perform many tests and
Like every other organ or tissue in your body, the heart muscle needs oxygen-rich blood
Heart valves play a key role in this one-way blood flow, opening and closing with
Before you can begin hemodialysis, there needs to be a way to remove the blood
Because of this shortage of donor hearts, researchers have spent years developing mechanical pumps called
The many types of medicines your doctor might prescribe for you to treat (or help
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are used to treat congestive heart failure (CHF) and high blood
Angiotensin II receptor blockers are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Why do I
Antiarrhythmics are used to treat heart rhythm disorders, called arrhythmias, and to lessen the symptoms
Although anticoagulants are called blood thinners, these medicines do not really thin your blood. Instead,
Antiplatelets are a group of medicines that stop blood cells (called platelets) from sticking together
Aspirin is used to reduce pain, inflammation (swelling), and fever. Doctors may also give their
Beta-blockers are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), congestive heart failure (CHF), abnormal heart
Blood thinners reduce your risk for heart attack, stroke, and blockages in your arteries and
Calcium channel blockers are used to control high blood pressure (hypertension), chest pain (angina), and
Digitalis is used to treat congestive heart failure (CHF) and heart rhythm problems (atrial arrhythmias).
Thiazides, potassium-sparing, loop-acting Why do I need to take a diuretic? Diuretics are sometimes called
Positive inotropes strengthen the force of the heartbeat. Negative inotropes weaken the force of the heartbeat. What are inotropes?
Nitrates are a vasodilator. Vasodilators widen (dilate) the blood vessels, improving blood flow and allowing more
Your doctor may give you a cholesterol-lowering statin if you have high levels of total
Cardiologists are doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases or conditions of the heart
Cardiovascular anesthesiologists are doctors who give the medicines used during heart surgery Anesthesiologists also do
Cardiovascular pathologists are experts in the science that deals with the structure and form of
Radiology is the specialty of medicine that uses imaging techniques to diagnose diseases. In cardiovascular
Radiology is the specialty of medicine that uses imaging techniques to diagnose diseases. In cardiovascular
Cardiovascular surgeons operate on your heart and blood vessels to repair damage caused by diseases
Perfusionists are vital members of the cardiovascular surgical team because they are responsible for running
Cardiovascular Glossary Abdomen – The area of the body between the bottom of the ribs and
Cardiovascular Glossary (A-H) Abdomen – The area of the body between the bottom of the ribs
Cardiovascular Glossary (I-P) Idiopathic – No known cause. Immunosuppressants – Any medicine that suppresses the body’s immune
Cardiovascular Glossary (Q-Z) Radial artery access – Using the radial artery in the wrist as the