acute coronary syndrome correct answersA term used to describe a group of symptoms caused
by myocardial ischemia; includes angina and myocardial infarction.
acute myocardial infarction correct answersReduced blood flow through coronary arteries causes
sustained ischemia which causes irreversible cellular death.
afterload correct answersThe force or resistance against which the heart pumps.
angina pectoris correct answersacute chest pain that occurs when myocardial demand exceeds its
oxygen supply
aorta correct answersLarge artery that carries blood from left ventricle to the rest of the body
aortic aneurysm correct answersLocalized dilation and weakening of arterial wall of the aorta
aortic arch correct answersblood vessels located between ascending and descending aortas that
deliver blood to most of the upper body
aortic valve correct answersvalve that allows blood to pass from the left ventricle through the
aorta and to the rest of the body
arrhythmia correct answersAbnormal heart rhythm
arterioles correct answersBlood vessels that are smaller branches off of arteries.
ateriosclerosis correct answersHardening of the arteries caused by buildup of plaque, a deposit of
fatty substances on the artery lining leading to a loss of elasticity
ascending aorta correct answersBranches off the left ventricle; carries oxygen rich blood to parts
of the body above the heart
asystole correct answersabsence of contractions of the heart
AV node (atrioventricular node) correct answersregion of the heart between the right atrium and
right ventricle from which electrical impulses spread to the ventricles during a heartbeat
AV Valves correct answersMitral and Tricuspid valves- allow flow from atria to ventricle during
atrial contraction and ventricular diastole. Left-mitral, Right-tricuspid
atrium correct answersEach of the two upper chambers of the heart that receives blood that
comes into the heart
automaticity correct answersThe ability of the heart to generate and conduct electrical impulses
on its own.
, autonomic nervous system correct answersA subdivision of the peripheral nervous system.
Controls involuntary activity of visceral muscles and internal organs and glands.
baroreceptors correct answersThese receptors detect changes in pressure within the body caused
by the stretch or distention of internal structures.Located in the blood vessles, kidney, brain and
heart
bradycardia correct answersSlow heart rate
capillaries correct answersMicroscopic vessel through which exchanges take place between the
blood and cells of the body
cardiac arrest correct answersfailure of the ventricles of the heart to contract (usually caused by
ventricular fibrillation) with consequent absence of the heart beat leading to oxygen lack and
eventually to death
cardiac cycle correct answersA complete heartbeat consisting of contraction and relaxation of
both atria and both ventricles
chemoreceptors correct answerschemical sensors in the brain and blood vessels that identify
changing levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide
cardiogenic shock correct answersA state in which not enough oxygen is delivered to the tissues
of the body, caused by low output of blood from the heart. It can be a severe complication of a
large acute myocardial infarction, as well as other conditions.
cardiac output correct answersHeart rate x stroke volume
chordae tendinae correct answersFibers (heart strings) attatched to the tricuspid and mitral valve
which pull it closed when papillary muscles contract, preventing back flow of blood
circumflex coronary artery correct answersone of the two branches of the left main coronary
artery
conduction system correct answersElectrical impulses from nerves that stimulate contraction and
relaxation of heart
conductivity correct answersability to condut an electric charge
CHF correct answersDisorder in which the heart loses its ability to effectively pump blood
resulting in a loss of cardiac output and a backing up of fluids
contractility correct answersThe ability of the cardiac muscle to shorten in response to an
electrical impulse.