Peter Munk Cardiac Centre

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This is not an exhaustive list, but includes some of the terminology commonly used in the assessment and treatment of cardiac disorders. To view this glossary simply click on the corresponding letter below:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Heart Attack

A myocardial infarction (MI), is permanent damage to the heart muscle. "Myo" means muscle, "cardial" refers to the heart and "infarction" means death of tissue due to lack of blood supply.

Heart Failuire 

Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped working. Rather, it means that the heart's pumping power is weaker than normal. With heart failure, blood moves through the heart and body at a slower rate, and pressure in the heart increases. As a result, the heart cannot pump enough oxygen and nutrients to meet the body's needs.

Hemorrhagic stroke

Occur when a blood vessel in the brain breaks or ruptures. The result is blood seeping into the brain tissue, causing damage to brain cells. The most common causes of hemorrhagic stroke are high blood pressure and brain aneurysms.

Holter Monitor

A technique for long-term (usually on an out-patient basis), continuous, recording of electrocardiographic signals on magnetic tape for scanning and selection of significant but fleeting changes that might otherwise escape notice.

Hypertension

High blood pressure; transitory or sustained elevation of systemic arterial blood pressure to a level likely to induce cardiovascular damage or other adverse consequences

Hypotension

Reduced (subnormal) arterial blood pressure

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