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58 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
ACE inhibitor
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blocks the action of the enzyme that causes the blood vessels to contract resulting in hypertension
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anemia
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a lower than normal number of red blood cells in the blood
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aneurysm
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a localized weak spot or balloon-like enlargement of the wall of an artery
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angina
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a condition of episodes of severe chest pain due to inadequeat blood flow to the myocardium
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angioplasty
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a procedure in which a small balloon is used to open a partially blocked coronary artery by flattening the plaque deposit and stretching the lumen
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anticoagulant
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medication administered to slow blood clotting and to prevent new clots from forming; also known as a thrombolytic agent
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aplastic anemia
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a type of anemia that is marked by an absence of all formed blood elements
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arrhythmia
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an abnormality, or the loss of the normal rhythm, of the heartbeat
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atherectomy
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the surgical removal of plaque from the interior lining of an artery
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atheroma
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a deposit of plaque on or within the arterial wall
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atherosclerosis
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hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to a buildup of cholesterol plaque
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atrial fibrillation
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occurs when the normal rhythmic contractions of the atria are replaced by rapid irregular twitching of the muscular heart wall
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automated external defibrillator
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device that samples the heart's electrical rhythms, and when necessary, externally shocks the heart to restore a normal cardiac rhythm
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beta-blocker
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a medication that reduces the workload of the heart by slowing the rate of the heart beat
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blood dyscrasia
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any pathologic condition of the cellular elements of the blood
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bradycardia
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an abnormally slow heartbeat
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cardiac arrest
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an event in which the heart abruptly stops or develops a very abnormal arrhythmia that prevents it from pumping blood
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cardiac catheterization
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a procedure in which a catheter is passed into a vein or artery and is guided into the heart
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cardiomyopathy
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the term used to describe all diseases of the heart muscle
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carotid endarterectomy
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surgical removal of the lining of a portion of a clogged carotid artery leading to the brain
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cholesterol
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a fatty substance that travels through the blood and is found in all parts of the body
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chronic venous insufficiency
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a condition in which venous circulation is inadequate due to partial vein blockage or leakage of venous valves
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coronary thrombosis
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damage to the heart muscle caused by a thrombus blocking a coronary artery
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defibrillation
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the use of electrical shock to restore the heart's normal rhythm
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diuretic
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medication administered to stimulate the kidneys to increase the secretion of urine to rid the body of excess sodium and water
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electrocardiogram
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a record of the electrical activity of the myocardium
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embolism
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blockage of a vessel by an embolus
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embolus
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a foreign object such as a blood clot, a quantity of air or gas, or a bit of tissue or tumor that is circulating in the blood
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endocarditis
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inflammation of the inner layer of the heart
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erythrocytes
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mature red blood cells
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hemoglobin
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the iron-containing pigment of the erythrocytes that transports oxygen from the lungs to all of the body tissues
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hemolytic anemia
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a condition of an inadequate number of circulating erythrocytes due to the premature destruction of these cells by the spleen
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hemostasis
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to control bleeding
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ischemic heart disease
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a group of cardiac disabilities resulting from an insufficient supply of oxygenated blood to the heart
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leukemia
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a malignancy characterized by a progressive increase of abnormal leukocytes
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leukocytes
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white blood cells
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leukopenia
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any situation in which the total number of leukocytes in the circulating blood is less than normal
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megaloblastic anemia
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the bone marrow produces abnormal red blood cells known as megaloblasts, which have a reduced capacity to carry oxygen
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myelodysplastic syndrome
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a group of bone marrow disorders that are characterized by the insufficient production of one or more types of blood cells due to dysfunction of the bone marrow
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myocardial infarction
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blockage of a coronary artery
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orthostatic hypotension
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low blood pressure that occurs in a standing position
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paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
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an episode during which there are very rapid and regular heartbeats that originate in the atrium
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pericardium
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the double-walled membranous sac that encloses the heart
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pernicious anemia
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a form of anemia caused by a lack of the protein that helps the body absorb vitamin B12 which is necessary for the formation of red blood cells
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phlebitis
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inflammation of a vein
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Raynaud's Phenomenon
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a peripheral arterial occlusive disease in which intermittent attacks are triggered by cold or stress
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septicemia
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the presence of pathogenic microorganisms or their toxins in the blood
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sickle cell anemia
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a genetic disorder that causes abnormal hemoglobin, resulting in some red blood cells assuming an abnormal sickle shape
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tachycardia
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an abnormally rapid heartbeat
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thallium stress test
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a diagnostic test performed to evaluate how well blood flows through the coronary arteries to the heart muscle during exercise
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thrombocytopenia
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a condition in which there is an abnormally small number of platelets in the circulating blood
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thrombolytic
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medication administered to slow blood clotting and to prevent new clots from forming; also known as an anticoagulant
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thrombosis
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an abnormal condition in which a thrombus develops within a blood vessel
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thrombus
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a blood clot attached to the interior wall of a vein or artery
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valvulitis
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an inflammatory condition of a heart valve
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varicose veins
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abnormally swollen veins that usually occur in the legs
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ventricular fibrillation
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the rapid, irregular, and useless contractions of the ventricles
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ventricular tachycardia
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a very rapid heart beat that begins within the ventricles
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