Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors. These constitute a category of hypertension drugs which tend to prevent the natural angiotensin enzyme of the body from increasing blood pressure, so permitting blood to flow more easily and make the work of the heart easier or more efficient. They are, therefore, used for treating high blood pressure.
back to topThe pH of blood tissue is reduced on account of excessive acid due to failure of circulation or a serious lack of oxygen.
back to topA heart attack which occurs when the supply of blood to part of the myocardium, the heart muscle, is seriously impaired or stopped.
back to topHormone regulating the sympathetic nervous system by raising blood pressure, glycogenesis and cardiac output. The term that is normally used in North America is epinephrine.
back to topRefers to activation by and secretion of noradrenaline (i.e. norepinephrine) and smaller amounts of adrenaline (i.e. epinephrine).
back to topThese are receptor sites on neuron cell membranes which release neurotransmitters adrenaline and noradrenaline. They are classified as alpha1, alpha2 and beta subtypes. The term represents a contraction of adrenergic receptors.
back to topA drug in pharmacology that activates receptors on the surface of cells of a neuron in order to inhibit the release of a neurotransmitting hormone.
back to topClass of hypertension drugs which operate by blocking the alpha1 adrenoreceptor, thus lowering blood pressure and heart rate.
back to topA drug which blocks alpha adrenergic receptors in the sympathetic nervous system selectively. Alpha2 agents are a subclassification of the adrenergic receptor group, having 3 characteristic effects: analgesia, sedation and relaxation of muscles.
back to topLack of pain without loss of consciousness. An analgesic is an agent that possesses pain-relieving characteristics.
back to topDeficiency in blood's oxygen-carrying material.
back to topBalloon-shaped sac in the wall of an artery, vein or heart due to a weakening of the wall on account of injury, disease or abnormality present at birth.
back to topMedical term for abdominal pain due to coronary heart disease. It is a condition where the heart muscle fails to receive enough blood, the result being pain in the abdomen.
back to topAccumulation of deposits containing fat on walls of arteries.
back to topLoss of sensation incl. pain accompanied by unconsciousness.
back to topX-ray method that uses dye in the bloodstream in order to show the dimension of the heart.
back to topProcedure used to widen narrow arteries by means of a deflated balloon at the end of a catheter.
back to topA drug in pharmacology which selectively binds to a cellular receptor for a neurotransmitter, thereby inhibiting the activity of an agonist and reversing its effects.
back to topMedicine that is used to treat heart rate rhythm disorders. Examples include lidocaine, procaine, amide, digitalis, propanolol, quinidine, alroprine and isoproterenol.
back to topSubstance created by the immune system in order to fight infections and extraneous substances – antibodies are produced as a response to specific antigens.
back to topDrug which retards clotting but does not dissolve clots that already exist. It tends to prevent new clots forming on artificial valves and existing clots from becoming larger.
back to topSubstances that are recognized by the immune system as infectious or extraneous. Antibodies are produced by the immune system in order to fight antigens.
back to topCausing relief of apprehension, anxiety or dread. A tranquilizer.
back to topThe chief artery that receives blood from the left ventricle of the heart and causes it to flow to the body.
back to topHeart valve between the aorta and the left ventricle.
back to topRelating to the aorta, which is the major vessel which carries oxygen-enriched blood from the heart to the body. The term is sometimes used to refer to the aortic valve, which is the valve that prevents a return flow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle, aortic stenosis, for instance.
back to topAbnormal rhythm of the heart.
back to topFailure of a body structure to develop and failure of the tissue to close fully as it would normally – usually the case at birth.
back to topX-ray opaque dye is injected into the bloodstream in order to investigate arteries (usually coronary ones) for damage.
back to topA vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. It generally carries blood which is rich in oxygen. The exception in mammals is the pulmonary artery which takes deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
back to topThe small upper chambers of the heart, also referred to as auricles.
back to topDisorder where the two small upper chambers of the heart flutter instead of beating effectively. When the heart beats, not all the blood is pumped out of them and the blood can form pools and clot.
back to topWall that divides the left and right atria.
back to top(A-V canal defect) A congenital abnormality in which there are defects between the atria and ventricles while the tricuspid and mitral valves are abnormal. Also called atrioventricular septal defect and endocardial cushion defect.
back to topConductive tissue at the bottom of the right atrium where electrical pulses must pass in order to reach the ventricles.
back to topThe heart chamber which collects blood returning from the rest of the body. In all vertebrates apart from fish there are two atria, one on the left and one on the right. The atrium on the right collects deoxygenated blood from the body and passes it to the right ventricle. The atrium on the left collects oxygenated blood from the lungs and passes it to the left ventricle.
back to topPart of the nervous system which operates without conscious control. It is divided into the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.
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