Heart words explained

A B C D E F G H N P Q R S T U V

A

ACE inhibitor

A blood pressure medicine, such as ramipril, that also protects the heart after a heart attack.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

The umbrella term doctors use for heart attacks and unstable angina.

AED

Automated external defibrillator. A portable device that can restart a heart in cardiac arrest. See defibrillators.

Angina

Chest pain caused by narrowed heart arteries not getting enough blood to the heart muscle, usually on exertion. See angina.

Angiogram

An X-ray test using dye to show the inside of the heart arteries. See in hospital.

Angioplasty

Opening a narrowed artery with a small balloon, usually followed by a stent. Also called PCI.

Anticoagulant

A medicine that slows blood clotting, such as warfarin, apixaban or rivaroxaban. Often called a blood thinner.

Antiplatelet

A medicine that makes platelets less sticky, such as aspirin, clopidogrel or ticagrelor.

Aorta

The body’s main artery, carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

Arrhythmia

An abnormal heart rhythm: too fast, too slow or irregular.

Atherosclerosis

The build-up of fatty patches (plaque) in artery walls, which narrows them.

Atrial fibrillation (AF)

A common irregular heart rhythm that raises the risk of stroke.

B

Beta blocker

A medicine, such as bisoprolol, that slows the heart and lowers blood pressure.

C

CABG

Coronary artery bypass graft. Surgery that uses a blood vessel from elsewhere in the body to bypass a blocked heart artery.

Cardiac arrest

When the heart stops pumping blood. The person collapses and isn’t breathing normally. Needs CPR and a defibrillator immediately.

Cardiac rehabilitation

A programme of exercise, education and support after a heart attack or heart surgery. See recovery.

Cardiologist

A doctor who specialises in the heart.

Cardiomyopathy

A disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump.

Cath lab

The hospital room where angiograms and stents are done.

Cholesterol

A fatty substance in the blood. LDL is the harmful kind that builds up in arteries. HDL is the helpful kind.

Coronary arteries

The arteries that supply the heart muscle itself with blood.

CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Chest compressions, and sometimes rescue breaths, to keep blood flowing during a cardiac arrest. See CPR.

CT coronary angiogram

A scan that shows narrowings in the heart arteries without a tube being passed into them.

D

DAPT

Dual antiplatelet therapy. Aspirin plus a second antiplatelet, usually for a year after a heart attack or stent.

E

ECG

Electrocardiogram. A quick, painless recording of the heart’s electrical activity.

Echocardiogram

An ultrasound scan of the heart that shows how well it’s pumping and how the valves work.

Ejection fraction

The percentage of blood the heart pumps out with each beat. Above 50% is usually normal.

F

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH)

An inherited condition causing very high cholesterol from birth. Affects about 1 in 250 people.

G

GTN

Glyceryl trinitrate. A spray or tablet under the tongue that relieves angina by widening blood vessels.

H

Heart attack

When a heart artery becomes blocked and part of the heart muscle is starved of blood. Also called a myocardial infarction (MI).

Heart failure

When the heart can’t pump as well as it should. It doesn’t mean the heart has stopped.

Hypertension

High blood pressure. See blood pressure.

N

NSTEMI

A type of heart attack where the ECG doesn’t show the classic pattern, but blood tests show damage. Usually a partly blocked artery.

P

Palpitations

Being aware of your heartbeat: pounding, fluttering, racing or skipping.

PCI

Percutaneous coronary intervention. Opening a heart artery with a balloon and stent through a thin tube in the wrist or groin.

Pericarditis

Inflammation of the sac around the heart. Causes sharp chest pain that’s often better leaning forward.

Plaque

A fatty patch in the wall of an artery. If it cracks, a clot can form and cause a heart attack.

Pulmonary embolism (PE)

A blood clot in the lungs. Causes sudden breathlessness and sharp chest pain. A 999 emergency.

Q

QRISK3

The calculator used in the UK to estimate your chance of a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years.

R

Recovery position

Lying someone on their side to keep their airway clear when they’re unresponsive but breathing. See helping someone.

S

SCAD

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection. A tear in a heart artery wall. Most common in women, often around pregnancy.

Statin

A medicine that lowers cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. See statins.

STEMI

The most urgent type of heart attack, where an artery is completely blocked and the ECG shows a specific pattern.

Stent

A small mesh tube left in an artery to hold it open.

Stroke

When blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Signs are a drooping face, weak arm and slurred speech. Call 999.

T

Troponin

A protein released by damaged heart muscle. A blood test for it helps diagnose a heart attack.

U

Unstable angina

Angina that’s new, getting worse, or happening at rest. A warning sign of a heart attack. Call 999.

V

Ventricular fibrillation (VF)

A chaotic heart rhythm that causes cardiac arrest. A defibrillator shock can stop it.