Clinical terminology

• Ischaemic heart disease


  Heart weakening caused by reduced blood flow to your heart which normally is the result of coronary artery disease. Can also be called cardiac ischemia or ischemic cardiomyopathy.
• Pericarditis


  The swelling and irritation of the thin, saclike tissue surrounding the heart (pericardium)
• Hypertension


  High blood pressure which occurs when the pressure in the blood vessels is too high (140/90 mmHg or higher)
• Congestive heart failure


  A long-term condition that happens when the heart can't pump blood well enough to give the body a normal supply. This results in the blood and fluids collecting in the lungs and legs over time.
• Cardiomyopathy


  A disease of the heart muscle which causes the heart to have a harder time pumping blood to the rest of the body which can lead to symptoms of heart failure.
• Heart Valve disease


  When any valve in the heart has damage or is diseased. This can be due to several causes.
• Congenital heart disease


  A general term for a range of birth defects that affect the normal way the heart works.
• Endocarditis


  Inflammation of the inside lining of the heart chambers and heart valves. It is caused by bacteria or, rarely, a fungal infection.
• Cardiac Arrhythmias


  The heart is not beating in the proper rhythm. This can cause anything from minor symptoms all the way to cardiac arrest.
• Venous disorders


  When vein walls are weakened, and valves are damaged.
• Pulmonary embolism


  A sudden blockage of an artery in the lung. This usually occurs when a blood clot in a deep vein in the leg or pelvis breaks loose and travels through the blood to the lungs.
• Pleurisy


  An inflammation of the lining of the lungs and chest that leads to chest pain when you take a breath or cough.
• Pneumothorax


  An abnormal collection of air in the space between the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and chest cavity.
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)


  A common condition where acid from the stomach leaks up into the oesophagus.
• Muscle strain


  When a muscle is stretched too much and part of it tears.
• Rib fracture


  When one of the bones in the rib cage breaks or cracks.
• Herpes Zoster


  A common condition that occurs when the virus that causes chickenpox is reactivated in the body.
• Coronary artery disease


  A disease in which there is a narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries.
• Coronary heart disease


  What happens when your heart's blood supply is blocked or interrupted by a build up of fatty substances in the coronary arteries.
• Angina pectoris


  • Stable angina
  • Unstable angina
  • Myocardial infarction
• Hypercholesterolaemia


  Elevation of blood cholesterol levels above the range of values considered "ideal" or "optimal"
• Cyanosis


  A bluish colour in the skin, lips and nail beds caused by a shortage of oxygen in the blood.
• Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)


  Describes a range of conditions related to sudden, reduced blood flow to the heart.
• Myocardial Infarction


  • ST elevation MI (STEMI)
  • Non-ST elevation MI (NSTEMI)
• Conn's syndrome


  A condition that causes resistant high blood pressure due to excess production of aldosterone.
• Coarctation of the aorta

  A birth defect in which a part of the aorta is narrower than usual.
• Congestive heart failure


  A condition where the heart is unable to maintain an output sufficient for the needs of the body or does so at the expense of an abnormally high venous pressure.
• Tachyarrhythmia


  Fast heart rate.
• Dyspnoea


  Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
• Orthopnoea


  Shortness of breath that occurs while lying flat and is relieved by sitting or standing.
• Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea (PND)


  A sensation of shortness of breath that awakens the patient, often after 1 or 2 hours of sleep and is usually relieved in the upright position.
• Tachycardia


  Rapid beating of the heart, usually defined as greater than 100 beats per minute.
• Oedema


  A buildup of fluid in the body which causes the affected tissue to become swollen.
• Ascites


  A condition in which fluid collects in spaces within your abdomen.
• Upper lobe venous diversion (ULPVD)


  Reflects elevation of left atrial pressure and is an early sign of pulmonary oedema.
• Pulmonary venous congestion


  An accumulation of fluid in the lungs resulting in impaired gas exchange and arterial hypoxemia.
• Pleural effusion


  The accumulation of fluid in between the parietal and visceral pleura, called the pleural cavity.
• Bradyarrhythmia


  An abnormally slow resting heart rate, typically below 60 beats per minute.
• Rheumatic heart disease


  A condition in which the heart valves have been permanently damaged by rheumatic fever.
• Congenital valvular disease


  When one or more of the heart's four valves doesn't develop properly before birth.