Angina Dictionary

angina pectoris: Constricting chest pain caused by coronary artery disease, which reduces the amount of oxygen available to the heart muscles.

angiography: A special type of X-ray where radioactive dye is injected into blood vessels so they will appear on the X-ray.

angioplasty: Open heart surgery to enlarge narrowed arteries.

anxiety: A feeling of fear or worry that produces physical symptoms such as stress responses and heart palpitations. Anxiety can trigger an episode of angina pectoris.

aorta: The large artery beginning at the heart's left ventricle that is responsible for transporting oxygenated blood to the body.

arrhythmia: An abnormal heartbeat fluctuation, either in terms of speed or consistency.

arteriogram: A visual image of an artery created by injecting a mildly radioactive dye into the bloodstream.

artery: Any blood vessel that transports oxygen away from the heart to the body.

atheroma: A yellow plaque of cholesterol, fat, scar tissue and/or inflamed cells that may build up on an artery wall, narrowing the artery.

atherosclerosis: Hardening of the arteries. Fatty deposits can causes the artery walls to thicken and narrow, as can calcification of the arteries and damage caused by chronic hypertension.

beta blockers: Medication that causes the blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow.

CAD (coronary artery disease): A heart disease caused when cholesterol deposits, or plaques, build up in the coronary arteries. CAD is a leading cause of heart-related deaths.

calcification: The depositing of calcium salts within an organ or blood vessel.

calcium channel blockers: Medication that causes the blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow.

cardiac: Of or related to the heart.

carotid: Related to the carotid artery, which supplies oxygenated blood to the brain.

chest pain: Pain in the chest area. While chest pain has many causes, it should never be dismissed. Chest pain always indicates a need for medical evaluation as soon as possible.

cholesterol: The most common steroid in the body. While essential for many body processes, fatty cholesterol deposits can cause atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries.

chronic: A term used to describe any condition that lasts for long periods of time.

congestive heart failure: Occurs when the heart is unable to pump sufficient oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. Congestive heart failure affects all other organs, including the brain, the kidneys and the liver.

coronary arteries: Arteries that supply the heart muscle with its own blood supply.

costochondritis: Inflammation of chest wall cartilage, causing pain and tenderness.

dyspnea: Difficulty breathing.

echocardiogram: An ultrasound test used to view the heart.