Pacemaker: Cardiac pacemaker is a group of cells within the heart that together induce contractions and control the pace of the heart. When the cardiac pacemaker does not function properly an artificial pacemaker is placed which sends electrical impulses to the heart muscle to provide proper heart rhythm. An artificial pacemaker may be used to treat repeated syncopal attacks, congestive heart failure and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Palpitation: Heart palpitations are an abnormality of heartbeat that causes a feeling that the heart is beating too hard, skipping a beat or fluttering. Heart palpitations are felt in the chest, throat or neck. Most of the time, they occur due to stress and anxiety or due to consumption of stimulants such as caffeine or alcohol. They are also common during pregnancy. In rare cases, palpitations can be a sign of a more serious heart condition.
Plaque: Plaque is usually made up of cholesterol.They begin in the walls of the arteries and are formed by a process called atherosclerosis. They can reduce blood flow or, in some instances, block it altogether. This usually ends up in heart attacks, strokes and peripheral artery disease.
Pulse rate: Pulse is the rate at which the heart beats. Pulse rate is the number of times the heart beats per minute (bpm). Pulse rate for adults during rest is 60-100 bpm.
Rheumatic fever: Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that occurs following an untreated streptococcal infection. It is a rare but potentially life-threatening disease. The greatest danger from the disease is the damage it can do to the heart. Rheumatic fever scars the valves of the heart, forcing it to work harder to pump blood. Over a period of months or even years this damage to the heart can lead to a serious condition known as rheumatic heart disease, which can eventually cause the heart to fail.
Rheumatic heart disease: It is a disease of the heart resulting from rheumatic fever, which manifests as abnormalities of the heart valves.
Stable angina: It is a type of angina (chest pain) in which the pain is predictable and is present only during activity or extreme stress. It disappears with rest.
Stenosis: An abnormal narrowing of a blood vessel or any other tubular organ or structure is called stenosis. Stenosis in heart prevents the valve from opening properly, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood through the valve.
Stent: Stents are mesh tubes used to treat narrowed or weakened arteries in the body. Cardiac stents are commonly called heart stents. These stents are implanted in narrowed coronary arteries during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or angioplasty.
Stress echo: During a stress echo, an echocardiogram (test that uses ultrasound to evaluate heart) is performed just prior and just after the person exercises (on a treadmill or stationary bicycle). It helps to visualize the motion of the heart’s walls and pumping action under stress.
Stress test: During a stress test heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, electrocardiogram (ECG), and feeling of well-being are monitored when the patient exercises on a treadmill or exercise bicycle. Stress tests determine the amount of stress a heart can manage before developing any signs of abnormality. Exercise stress test is most commonly performed.
Stroke: A stroke is the sudden death of brain cells in a localized area due to lack of blood flow. Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a high risk factor for stroke.
Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of stroke.
World Heart Day: Stroke – a reality check for young India
Syncope: Syncope refers to a temporary loss of consciousness and posture due to decreased blood supply to brain. Cardiac syncope is sudden loss of consciousness brought about by obstructions to cardiac output or arrhythmias.
Systolic pressure: The systolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries as the muscle of the heart contracts and pumps blood into them. The range of systolic blood pressure for most healthy adults is between 90 and 120 mm Hg.
Tachycardia: Abnormally rapid heart rate is called tachycardia. The heart beats at more than 100 beats per minute and may reach 300 beats per minute. It may occur normally in response to fever, exercise or nervous excitement. Pathologic tachycardia is seen in anaemia, congestive heart failure, haemorrhage or shock.
Thallium stress test: A heart test in which the radionuclide thallium-201–201Tl is injected for diagnosing discrepancies in heart. After some waiting period, images of the blood flow are captured with a gamma camera before and after exercise. Photos are examined to evaluate the condition of the coronary arteries. TST is an increasingly popular alternative to the exercise stress test.
Thrombolytics: Thrombolytic drugs are used to dissolve blood clots. They are used for the treatment of myocardial infarction (heart attack).
Thrombus: Thrombus is a blood clot along the wall of a blood vessel or in a chamber of the heart. They obstruct blood flow.
Total cholesterol: Total cholesterol is the sum of LDL (low density) cholesterol, HDL (high density) cholesterol and VLDL (very low density) cholesterol. VLDL is approximately one fifth of triglycerides. Total cholesterol levels of 200-239 are considered borderline high. Cholesterol levels 240 or greater are considered high.
Common queries about cholesterol, lipid profile, VLDL, HDL, triglycerides…
Unstable angina: Unstable angina is chest pain that occurs easily, with greater frequency, and feels more severe. This type of chest pain occurs with minimal activity, lasts longer and is relieved with rest or medication. It may progress to a heart attack. Unstable angina requires immediate medical attention.
Vasodilator: Vasodilators are drugs that cause widening of blood vessels by relaxing the muscle around them. They are used in the treatment of hypertension, angina, congestive heart failure, etc.
Ventricles: Ventricles are the two bottom chambers of the heart. The right ventricle pumps blood into the lungs. The left ventricle pumps blood into the body circulation to deliver oxygen to all of the body’s organs and tissues.
Know your heart health terms – part 1
Know your heart health terms – part 2
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