We’re here to help explain some of the terms used in Cardiology
Coronary arteries
Arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle.
Cardiac
Relating to the heart.
Myocardial infarction
Heart attack.
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
A group of conditions due to decreased blood flow in the coronary arteries. This includes angina and heart attacks.
Angina
Chest pain, chest tightness or discomfort in the chest due to inadequate blood supply to the heart.
Cardiac arrhythmia
Any abnormal heart rhythm including bradycardia (slow rhythm), tachycardia (fast rhythm) and atrial fibrillation (irregular rhythm).
Pacemakers
A medical device that uses painless electrical pulses to prompt the heart to beat at a normal rate.
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
A pacemaker capable of delivering a life-saving electric shock when necessary.
Cardiomyopathy
A weak heart muscle.
Hypertension
High blood pressure. If unmanaged high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke or death.
Valvular heart disease
Disease of one of four heart valves. These valves can narrow (stenosis) or leak (regurgitation). There are many causes and differing severity of valvular heart disease.
Aortic stenosis
Narrowing of the aortic valve, which impedes the delivery of blood from the left ventricle of the heart through the aorta to the body.
Coronary angiogram
A diagnostic x-ray of the heart using iodine contrast dye to show any narrowing or blockages of the coronary arteries.
Coronary angioplasty / stenting
A percutaneous non-surgical procedure used to treat narrowed and blocked heart arteries. It involves inserting and inflating balloons and stents to help widen the artery.
Stent
Is a tube placed inside a coronary artery to keep it open.
Coronary catheterisation
The insertion of a tube (catheter) into the heart through an artery or vein. This can be performed through the groin (femoral artery or vein) or wrist (radial artery).
Transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE)
A procedure where a probe is inserted into the oesophagus under sedation in order to better assess heart muscle and valves.
Cardiac rehabilitation
Is a medically supervised program for people with heart disease to educate, reassure and help reduce future heart risk.
Telemetry
Cardiac signals (ECGs) are
transmitted to a central location for display and monitoring.
Echocardiogram (Echo)
Is a painless ultrasound scan of the heart to assess the heart muscle and valves.