Glossary

a

Angina

Chest pain that feels like a pressure or squeezing in the chest. Angina may be associated with heart attack, but it can also be due to many other conditions or factors, such as overexertion.

Atherosclerosis

A condition in which an artery wall thickens as the result of a buildup of plaque, which consists of fatty materials such as cholesterol.

Atrium (Atria, plural)

Hollow heart chambers located at the top of the heart on the right and left sides. Atria work with the lower heart chambers, or ventricles, to pump blood through the heart.

b

Blood clot

A blood mass that forms when components of blood, such as blood platelets and proteins, stick together.

c

Cardiac nuclear stress test

A cardiac stress test that uses a tracer to measure blood flow to the heart both at rest and during stress. It is performed with exercise or using a pharmacologic agent, and provides detailed images that can be used to diagnose and assess the significance of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Cholesterol

A substance found in cells in your body as well as certain foods such as eggs, meat, and dairy products. There are two types of cholesterol: "bad" cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which increases plaque deposits inside the arteries. "Good" cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein (HDL), helps carry fat to the liver for removal from the body.

Coronary Arteries

Blood vessels that supply the heart with blood, oxygen, and vital nutrients.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Also referred to as coronary heart disease. This condition is a result of the build-up of plaque, a material made of fat, cholesterol, and other substances found in the blood. When plaque builds up over time, it can narrow the arteries, reducing normal blood flow to the heart. This narrowing can prevent the heart from pumping blood efficiently, which may cause many symptoms, such as chest pain. If not treated, CAD can lead to serious heart conditions, including heart attack.

d

Diabetes

A disease in which the body doesn't make enough insulin or use it properly, leading to a high level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.

e

Electrocardiogram/electrocardiograph

This device measures the electrical activity of the heart, how fast the heart beats, and whether the heart rhythm is regular or irregular. It is used during a stress test to help detect whether CAD may be likely.

Exercise stress test

A diagnostic test that helps detect potential problems that may be due to CAD. Your heart rate is measured while you walk or run on a treadmill or pedal a stationary exercise bike. When you exercise, your heart works harder and beats faster. This test can show potential signs of CAD, including abnormal changes in heart rhythm, electrical activity, heart rate, and blood pressure.

h

Heart attack

Occurs when a blood clot forms in an artery, cutting off blood and oxygen to the heart muscle, resulting in damage to that portion of the heart.

Heart failure

Occurs when the heart can't pump adequate blood to the body. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue and swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, and abdomen.

High blood pressure

Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is when the pressure of the blood pumping through arteries is consistently too high.

m

Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI)

Also referred to as a nuclear stress test, this is a technique in which radionuclide tracers are used to evaluate blood flow to the heart in order to diagnose and assess the significance of coronary artery disease (CAD).

p

Pharmacologic agent

A biologically active substance applied pharmacologically to the body for therapeutic effects on one or more tissues or organs.

Pharmacologic stress test

A diagnostic test used for people who are unable to exercise on a treadmill during a cardiac nuclear stress test. A medical technician will inject a drug that makes the heart respond as if the person is exercising.

Plaque

A substance that deposits on the artery walls and can build up over time, thickening the walls. Plaque may also narrow the artery wall, constricting the delivery of oxygen, blood, and nutrients to the heart.

r

Radioactive isotope imaging tracer

Substances used for different medical procedures to help detect abnormalities in the body. For example, a tracer is used during myocardial perfusion imaging, which shows the blood flow to the heart and helps doctors see whether a patient has heart disease.

Radiologist

A doctor who specializes in taking pictures of the inside of the body using X-rays or other types of energy, and interpreting them.

s

Stress test

A type of test to diagnose coronary artery disease. There are several types, including exercise stress tests and pharmacologic stress tests. Either by exercising on a treadmill or using a chemical injection, a patient’s heart is stressed and monitored to detect any signs of CAD.

Stroke

An interruption of the blood supply to any part of the brain, caused by a blood clot. Strokes can cause damage and/or death to a portion of the brain.

t

Tracer

Substances used for different medical procedures to help detect abnormalities in the body. For example, a tracer is used during myocardial perfusion imaging, which shows the blood flow to the heart and helps doctors see whether a patient has heart disease.

v

Ventricles

Two large right and left hollow chambers at the bottom of the heart, which collect and expel blood received from an atrium. Atria work with the ventricles to pump blood through the heart.