English for Cardiology: Essential Vocabulary & Phrases

"myocardium"

The muscular tissue of the heart wall responsible for generating the contractions that pump blood

"The echocardiogram revealed thinning of the posterior myocardium consistent with an old infarction."

"interventricular septum"

The thick muscular wall dividing the left and right ventricles of the heart

"The MRI showed hypertrophy of the interventricular septum measuring 18 mm, suggesting hypertrophic cardiomyopathy."

"mitral valve"

The bicuspid valve between the left atrium and left ventricle that prevents backflow during systole

"Auscultation revealed a pansystolic murmur consistent with mitral valve regurgitation."

"coronary artery"

One of the vessels supplying oxygenated blood directly to the heart muscle

"Angiography demonstrated a 90% occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery."

"sinoatrial node"

The cluster of specialised cells in the right atrium that generates the electrical impulse initiating each heartbeat

"The patient presented with sick sinus syndrome due to fibrosis of the sinoatrial node."

"aortic root"

The section of the aorta attached to the heart from which the coronary arteries originate

"CT angiography measured the aortic root at 48 mm, indicating moderate dilatation requiring monitoring."

"pericardium"

The fibrous double-layered sac enclosing the heart and the roots of the great vessels

"The chest X-ray showed an enlarged cardiac silhouette caused by a pericardial effusion."

"chordae tendineae"

Tendon-like cords connecting the mitral and tricuspid valve leaflets to the papillary muscles

"Rupture of the chordae tendineae caused acute severe mitral regurgitation and pulmonary oedema."

"electrocardiogram"

A recording of the electrical activity of the heart used to identify arrhythmias, ischaemia, and conduction abnormalities

"The 12-lead electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF indicating inferior STEMI."

"echocardiography"

An ultrasound imaging technique used to visualise cardiac structure, function, and blood flow

"Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated an ejection fraction of 35%, confirming systolic heart failure."

"troponin"

A cardiac biomarker protein released into the bloodstream when heart muscle cells are damaged

"Serial troponin measurements showed a rising and falling pattern, confirming acute myocardial infarction."

"Holter monitor"

A portable device worn continuously for 24 to 48 hours to record heart rhythm and detect intermittent arrhythmias

"The Holter monitor captured multiple runs of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia during the patient's daily activities."

"coronary angiography"

An invasive imaging procedure using contrast dye to visualise the coronary arteries and identify blockages

"Coronary angiography revealed three-vessel disease and the patient was referred for bypass surgery."

"ejection fraction"

The percentage of blood pumped out of the left ventricle with each heartbeat, a key measure of cardiac function

"An ejection fraction of 25% indicated severely reduced ventricular function requiring urgent intervention."

"stress test"

An evaluation of cardiac function under physical exertion or pharmacological stress to detect ischaemia

"The treadmill stress test was stopped at six minutes due to ST depression and chest pain."

"brain natriuretic peptide"

A hormone secreted by heart muscle cells in response to increased wall stress, used as a biomarker of heart failure

"The brain natriuretic peptide level of 1,200 pg/mL strongly supported the diagnosis of acute decompensated heart failure."

"atrial fibrillation"

An irregular and often rapid heart rhythm caused by chaotic electrical signals in the atria, increasing stroke risk

"The patient was commenced on anticoagulation after being diagnosed with persistent atrial fibrillation."

"heart failure"

A clinical syndrome in which the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the body's demands

"The patient presented with decompensated heart failure, with bilateral crackles and pitting oedema to the knees."

"ST-elevation myocardial infarction"

A life-threatening heart attack characterised by complete blockage of a coronary artery and ST elevation on ECG

"The patient was taken directly to the catheterisation laboratory with a diagnosis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction."

"aortic stenosis"

Narrowing of the aortic valve opening that obstructs blood flow from the left ventricle into the aorta

"Echocardiography confirmed severe aortic stenosis with a mean gradient of 52 mmHg and a valve area of 0.7 cm²."

"hypertrophic cardiomyopathy"

A genetic condition causing abnormal thickening of the heart muscle which can obstruct outflow and cause sudden death

"The young athlete was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and advised to cease competitive sport."

"pericarditis"

Inflammation of the pericardium typically causing sharp chest pain that worsens on lying flat and eases on leaning forward

"The viral pericarditis was treated with NSAIDs and colchicine, with resolution of symptoms over two weeks."

"ventricular tachycardia"

A rapid heart rhythm originating in the ventricles that can cause haemodynamic instability and cardiac arrest

"The patient developed sustained ventricular tachycardia and required direct current cardioversion."

"dilated cardiomyopathy"

A condition in which the heart chambers enlarge and the myocardium weakens, impairing systolic function

"Genetic testing confirmed familial dilated cardiomyopathy and family members were referred for screening."

"percutaneous coronary intervention"

A catheter-based procedure to open blocked coronary arteries typically by balloon angioplasty and stent placement

"Primary percutaneous coronary intervention was performed within 90 minutes of the patient's symptom onset."

"coronary artery bypass grafting"

Open-heart surgery that creates new routes for blood to bypass blocked coronary arteries using graft vessels

"The surgeon performed triple-vessel coronary artery bypass grafting using the left internal mammary artery."

"transcatheter aortic valve implantation"

A minimally invasive procedure to replace a diseased aortic valve using a catheter without open-heart surgery

"The high-risk elderly patient underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation with an excellent haemodynamic result."

"implantable cardioverter-defibrillator"

A device implanted in the chest that monitors heart rhythm and delivers shocks to terminate life-threatening arrhythmias

"An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator was inserted for secondary prevention after the patient's survived cardiac arrest."

"cardiac ablation"

A procedure using radiofrequency or cryoenergy to destroy small areas of heart tissue causing abnormal electrical signals

"Pulmonary vein isolation cardiac ablation was performed to treat the patient's symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation."

"cardioversion"

The delivery of a controlled electrical shock to the heart to restore a normal sinus rhythm from an abnormal one

"Elective cardioversion was scheduled after four weeks of anticoagulation to restore sinus rhythm."

"pacemaker implantation"

A surgical procedure to insert a device that sends electrical pulses to maintain an adequate heart rate

"Permanent pacemaker implantation was performed for complete heart block causing symptomatic bradycardia."

"intra-aortic balloon pump"

A mechanical device inserted into the aorta to improve coronary perfusion and reduce cardiac workload in cardiogenic shock

"An intra-aortic balloon pump was inserted to stabilise the patient pending emergency revascularisation."

"anticoagulant"

A drug that prevents blood from clotting, used to reduce stroke risk in atrial fibrillation and treat venous thromboembolism

"The patient was commenced on a direct oral anticoagulant following diagnosis of non-valvular atrial fibrillation."

"beta-blocker"

A drug class that blocks adrenaline receptors to reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and myocardial oxygen demand

"The cardiologist titrated the beta-blocker dose upward as the patient's resting heart rate remained above 70 bpm."

"ACE inhibitor"

A drug that blocks the angiotensin-converting enzyme to lower blood pressure and reduce cardiac afterload

"An ACE inhibitor was added to the treatment regimen after the patient's ejection fraction dropped to 40%."

"statin"

A drug class that lowers LDL cholesterol by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, reducing cardiovascular risk

"High-intensity statin therapy was initiated immediately after the ST-elevation myocardial infarction."

"diuretic"

A drug that promotes urine production to reduce fluid overload and relieve the congestion associated with heart failure

"Intravenous diuretic therapy rapidly relieved the pulmonary oedema and improved the patient's oxygen saturation."

"antiarrhythmic"

A drug used to prevent or correct abnormal heart rhythms by altering electrical conduction properties of the heart

"Amiodarone, a class III antiarrhythmic, was chosen to maintain sinus rhythm following successful cardioversion."

"nitrate"

A vasodilator drug that relaxes vascular smooth muscle to relieve anginal chest pain and reduce cardiac preload

"Sublingual nitrate spray was prescribed for the patient to use if exertional angina occurred."

"antiplatelet agent"

A drug that inhibits platelet aggregation to reduce the risk of arterial clot formation after coronary stenting

"Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor was prescribed for twelve months following stent implantation."

"symptomatic"

Describing a condition that is producing noticeable signs or complaints experienced by the patient

"The patient became symptomatic with exertional dyspnoea at low levels of activity, prompting earlier intervention."

"haemodynamically stable"

A clinical status indicating that blood pressure, heart rate, and perfusion are adequate and not immediately life-threatening

"The patient arrived haemodynamically stable and was transferred to the coronary care unit for monitoring."

"decompensation"

A worsening of a previously controlled condition, used in cardiology to describe acute deterioration of heart failure

"Acute decompensation was precipitated by dietary non-compliance and excessive salt intake over the holiday period."

"revascularisation"

Restoration of blood flow to an ischaemic area of the heart either by angioplasty, stenting, or bypass surgery

"The multidisciplinary team agreed that complete revascularisation would be best achieved by surgical bypass grafting."

"informed consent"

The process of ensuring a patient understands and voluntarily agrees to a proposed procedure or treatment

"The interventional cardiologist obtained informed consent for the angioplasty, explaining the risks of bleeding and re-stenosis."

"risk stratification"

The process of categorising patients according to their likelihood of adverse cardiovascular events to guide management

"TIMI score risk stratification placed the patient in the high-risk category, prompting urgent invasive assessment."

"cardiogenic shock"

A life-threatening state of low cardiac output causing inadequate tissue perfusion, organ failure, and hypotension

"The patient developed cardiogenic shock within hours of the infarction and required mechanical circulatory support."

"secondary prevention"

Treatment and lifestyle measures aimed at reducing the risk of a further cardiovascular event after a first one has occurred

"Secondary prevention measures including statins, antiplatelet therapy, and cardiac rehabilitation were commenced at discharge."