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Chapter 6: Cardiovascular System
IN A FLASH! Go to FADavis.com to print out the Abbreviation Flash Cards for Chapter 6 and run through them at least three times before you continue. Try the flash card study strategies and games in the preface of this book!
Pathologies
Cardiovascular diseases and disorders can affect the heart and its structures, the blood or coronary vessels, or the flow of blood. Some of these abnormali- ties exist from birth (congenital), such as with congenital heart defects (CHDs). Other abnormalities can develop as people age or as certain risk factors develop over time. This section lists terms that relate to many common and some rare diseases or abnormalities of the cardiovascular system. Use the pronunciation guide and say the terms aloud while you read them. This practice will help you get in the habit of saying them properly.
anemia (˘a-NEˉ-mˉe-˘a)
Group of disorders generally defined as a reduction in the mass of circulating red blood cells.
aneurysm (A˘N-uˉ-r˘ı -zum)
Weakening and bulging of part of a vessel wall. Brain
Cerebral aneurysm
Blood vessels (arteries in brain)
angina (˘an-JˉI -n˘a)
Heart pain or other discomfort felt in the chest, shoulders, arms, jaw, or neck, caused by insufficient blood and oxygen to the heart; usually a symptom of heart disease.
arrhythmia (˘a-R˘I TH-mˉe-˘a)
Loss of heart rhythm (rhythmic irregularity).
arteriosclerosis (˘ar-tˉe-rˉe-oˉ-skl˘e-ROˉ -s˘ıs) atherosclerosis (˘ath-˘er-oˉ-skl˘e-ROˉ -s˘ıs)
Thickening, loss of elasticity, and loss of contractility of arterial walls; commonly called hardening of the arteries. The most common form of arteriosclerosis, marked by deposits of cholesterol, lipids, and calcium on the walls of arteries, which may restrict blood flow.
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