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Angina (Angina Pectoris) - Pain or discomfort due to lack of oxygen to the heart muscle.  May manifest as pain or discomfort, heaviness, tightness, pressure or burning, numbness aching, tingling in the chest, back, neck, throat, jaw or arms.

Angioplasty - An insertion of a balloon at the end of a catheter, blown up to compress the clogged area of the artery against the artery wall and then removed.

Anticoagulants - also known as: "Blood thinners".  Medications that slow blood clotting time.  Anyone on anticoagulants needs regular blood tests for clotting time.  One test is called Prothrombin time or PT or Protime.

Arrhythmias - Abnormal rhythms of the heart beat.  Premature contractions: can be atrial or ventricular.  May or may not be dangerous.  Interrupts the regular heart rhythm.

• Fibrillation:  can be atrial or ventricular.  Ineffective beats.
• Tachycardia:  fast heart beat, usually over 110 a minute.
• Bradycardia:  slow heart beat, usually under 50 beats a minute

Arteries - Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood.

Atherectomy - also known as:  Rotorooter.  A procedure that uses a catheter and special cutting or grinding tools to remove plaque from artery walls.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft - also known as:  CABG, "Cabbage".  Surgery done to bypass the blocked coronary artery.  Uses a vein from the leg or chest to carry the blood as "a bridge" around the blocked coronary artery.

Cardiac Cath or Cardiac Catheterization - A catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in the arm or groin (after a local anesthesia is given) and treaded up to the heart, a dye is injected and X-rays will be taken of the heart arteries.  If there is a blockage in any artery it is usually easily seen.  After the procedure, the catheter is removed and you may be able to go home.

Catheter - A thin, flexible tube.

Coronary arteries - Four major coronary arteries carry freshly oxygenated blood to the heart muscle.  Known as:  Left main coronary artery, Circumflex coronary artery, Left anterior descending coronary artery, and Right coronary artery.  Can be seen on the exterior of the heart.  Most commonly blocked arteries of the heart due to plaque, lipids, and blood clots.

Electrocardiogram - also known as:  EKG or ECG.  A graph of the electrical conduction system of the heart.

Electrolytes - Elements or chemicals needed to enable the body and heart to work properly.  The most frequently tested by blood test:  Sodium, Potassium, Chloride.  If the levels are too high or too low in your blood, it may cause cardiac (heart) problems.

Enzymes - When the heart is injured (such as a heart attack) certain enzymes (chemicals) are released.  They are called LDH, SGOT and CPK.

Invasive procedure - A procedure, test or surgery that involves going through the skin or muscle or into a vein or artery, such as a Cardiac Catheterization.

NTG-Nitro-Nitroglycerine - A medication that expands or relaxes arteries to enable blood to flow more easily.  Can be taken by mouth, spray, skin patch, or intravenously.

Non-invasive procedure  - A procedure that can be done outside of the body, such as an X-ray or EKG.

Pulse - The beat of the heart felt in an artery.

• Radial:  most common pulse site.  In wrist directly under the thumb.
• Brachial:  inside the elbow, little finger side.
• Femoral:  inside the groin.
• Carotid:  on each side of the neck, under outer jaw.
• Apical:  over the lower half of the heart, between breast bone and left nipple, hard to feel.  A stethoscope is usually needed to get a clear sound.

To take a pulse, use the first and second fingers and count the beats for 60 seconds.

Plaque - A build up in the lining of a damaged artery.  Can be caused by high blood cholesterol or smoking.

Risk factors  - Habits or characteristics which can increase the likelihood of developing heart disease.  Non-modifiable risk factors (risk factors that cannot be changed):

• Family history of coronary disease or stroke
• Age
• Sex

Modifiable risk factors (risk factors that can be changed):

• Smoking
• High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
• Diet high in animal fats
• Sedentary lifestyle (couch potato)
• Diabetes
• Stress
• Type "A" personality
• Obesity
• Excessive use of alcohol

Stent - Devices that are placed in the artery to keep the inner wall of the artery open.  Small metal coil or mesh tube, permanently left in the artery.