In This Section
  • Angina: chest pain caused by inadequate blood flow through the vessels of the heart.


  • Aortic stenosis: narrowing of the aortic valve attached to the heart.


  • Arrhythmia: an abnormal heart rhythm that causes the heart to pump blood less effectively.


  • Bradycardia: an abnormally slow heart rate.


  • Cardiac catheterization: a procedure in which a doctor inserts a thin plastic tube, or “catheter” into an artery or vein in the arm or leg. From there the tube can travel into the heart chambers or the coronary arteries.


  • Coronary arteries: arteries that supply blood to the heart.


  • Cyanosis: a bluish color seen on the fingernails, tongue, lips, or skin, caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood.


  • Echocardiography: the use of ultrasound to examine the structure and functioning of the heart and diagnose disease.


  • Electrocardiograph: an instrument used to record the changes of electrical potential during the heartbeat; used particularly in diagnosing abnormalities of the heart.


  • Electrophysiology: the study of electrical activity within the heart.


  • Endocarditis: inflammation of the lining of the valves and chambers of the heart.


  • Endoscope:a flexible, illuminated tube that allows the physician to “see” inside the patient’s body and make accurate diagnoses and treatment recommendations.


  • Heart murmur: an atypical sound within a patient’s heart.


  • Hypertension: High blood pressure.


  • Hypotension: Low blood pressure.


  • Hypoxia: insufficient oxygen in the blood, usually caused by a form of heart disease and exhibited by cyanosis.


  • Mitral stenosis: narrowing of the mitral valve within the heart.


  • Myocardial infarction: heart attack.


  • Pulmonary stenosis: narrowing of the space between the heart’s pulmonary artery and the right ventricle.


  • Stent: a narrow tube that is inserted into a blocked blood vessel or artery to keep it open.


  • Tachycardia: an abnormally rapid heart rate.