Chest Pain Glossary of Terms

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Abdomen: The belly, that part of the body that contains all of the structures between the...

Abdominal: Relating to the abdomen, the belly, that part of the body that contains all of ...

Abdominal cavity: The cavity within the abdomen, the space between the abdominal wall and...

Abdominal pain: Pain in the belly. Abdominal pain can be acute or chronic. It may reflect ...

Abnormal: Outside the expected norm, or uncharacteristic of a particular patient.

Acid reflux: A common condition and an abnormal one in which acid in the stomach rises up...

Acute: Of abrupt onset, in reference to a disease. Acute often also connotes an illness th...

Analysis: In psychology, a term for conversation-based therapeutic processes used to gain ...

Anesthesia: Loss of feeling or awareness, as when an anesthetic is administered before sur...

Aneurysm: A localized widening (dilatation) of an artery, a vein, or the heart. At the poi...

Angina: Chest pain due to an inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart muscle. The pain is ...

Angiography: A procedure performed to view blood vessels after injecting them with a radio...

Angioplasty: Procedure with a balloon-tipped catheter to enlarge a narrowing in a coronary...

Antibiotic: A drug used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms. ...

Anticoagulant: An agent that is used to prevent the formation of blood clots. Anticoagulan...

Antifungal: A medication that limits or prevents the growth of yeasts and other fungal org...

Antifungal medication: A drug used to treat fungal infections.

Antiviral: An agent that kills a virus or that suppresses its ability to replicate and, he...

Anxiety: A feeling of apprehension and fear, characterized by physical symptoms such as pa...

Aorta: The largest artery in the body, the aorta arises from the left ventricle of the he...

Aortic: Pertaining to the aorta, the largest artery in the body.

Aortic aneurysm: An outpouching (a local widening) of the largest artery in the body, the ...

Aortic dissection: A progressive tear in the aorta. The inner lining (intima) of the aorta...

Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix, usually associated with infection of the appen...

Artery: A vessel that carries blood high in oxygen content away from the heart to the far...

Aspiration: Removal of a sample of fluid and cells through a needle. Aspiration also re...

Aspirin: Once the Bayer trademark for acetylsalicylic acid, now the common name for this a...

Asthma: A common lung disorder in which inflammation causes the bronchi to swell and narro...

Atherosclerosis: A process of progressive thickening and hardening of the walls of medium-...

Atypical: Unusual, or not fitting a single diagnostic
category.

Back pain: Pain felt in the low or upper back. Causes of pain in the low and upper back in...

Bacteria: Single-celled microorganisms that can exist either as independent (free-living) ...

Bacterial: Of or pertaining to bacteria, as in a bacterial lung infection.

Belly: That part of the body that contains all of the structures between the chest and t...

Birth control: Birth control is the use of any practices, methods, or devices to prevent p...

Blood clot: A mass of coagulated blood. A blood clot can block a major blood vessel, causi...

Blood clots: Blood that has been converted from a liquid to a solid state. Also called a t...

Blood pressure: The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is...

Blood sugar: Blood glucose. See also: High blood sugar; Low blood sugar.

Brain: The portion of the central nervous system that is located within the skull. It func...

Breathing: The process of respiration, during which air is inhaled into the lungs through ...

Bypass: An operation in which a new pathway is created for the transport of substances in ...

Caffeine: A stimulant compound found naturally in coffee, tea, cocoa (chocolate), and kola...

Calcium: A mineral found mainly in the hard part of bones, where it is stored. Calcium is ...

Cancer: An abnormal growth of cells which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled way and, ...

Cardiac: Having to do with the heart.

Cardiac tamponade: A life-threatening situation in which there is such a large amount of f...

Cardiovascular: Relating to the circulatory system, which comprises the heart and blood ve...

Cardiovascular disease: Disease affecting the heart or blood vessels.

Cartilage: Firm, rubbery tissue that cushions bones at joints. A flexible kind of cartilag...

Catheter: A thin, flexible tube.

Chest: The area of the body located between the neck and the abdomen. The chest contains t...

Chest pain: Pain in the chest that can be a result of many things, including angina, heart...

Chest X-ray: A type of X-ray commonly used to detect abnormalities in the lungs. A chest X...

Chickenpox: A highly infectious viral disease also known medically as varicella -- in many...

Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder. Cholecystitis is a complication of gallsto...

Cholesterol: The most common type of steroid in the body. Cholesterol has a reputation for...

Chronic: In medicine, lasting a long time. A chronic condition is one that lasts 3 months ...

Chronic renal failure: Now more commonly classified as chronic kidney disease and is liste...

Cocaine: A substance derived from the leaves of the coca plant that is a bitter, addictive...

Collapsed lung: Failure of full expansion of a once fully expanded lung. Medically cal...

Complication: In medicine, an unanticipated problem that arises following, and is a result...

Congenital: A condition that is present at birth, whether or not it is inherited.

Congenital heart disease: A malformation of the heart, aorta, or other large blood vessels...

Congestive heart failure: Inability of the heart to keep up with the demands on it, with f...

Contraction: The tightening and shortening of a muscle.

Coronary arteries: The vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood rich in oxygen. The...

Coronary artery disease: Impedance or blockage of one or more arteries that supply blood t...

Costochondritis: Inflammation and swelling of the cartilage of the chest wall, usually inv...

Cough: A rapid expulsion of air from the lungs, typically in order to clear the lung airwa...

CT scan: Computerized tomography scan. Pictures of structures within the body created by a...

Cuts: Severed skin. Washing a cut or scrape with soap and water and keeping it clean and d...

Cystic fibrosis: A common grave genetic disease that affects the exocrine glands and is ch...

Diabetes: Refers to diabetes mellitus or, less often, to diabetes insipidus. Diabetes mell...

Diagnosis: 1 The nature of a disease; the identification of an illness. 2 A ...

Dilate: To stretch or enlarge. Also known as dilatate.

Dissection: The process of cutting apart or separating tissue as, for example, in the stud...

Dizziness: Painless head discomfort with many possible causes including disturbances of ...

Dysphagia: Difficulty swallowing. Dysphagia is due to abnormal nerve or muscle control. It...

ECG: Electrocardiogram.

Echocardiography: Echocardiography is a diagnostic test which uses ultrasound waves to m...

Electrocardiogram: A recording of the electrical activity of the heart. Abbreviated ECG an...

Embolism: The obstruction of a blood vessel by a foreign substance or a blood clot that tr...

Embolus: A blockage or plug that obstructs a blood 'vessel. Examples of emboli are detache...

Emergency department: The department of a hospital responsible for the provision of medica...

Emphysema: 1) A lung condition featuring an abnormal accumulation of air in the lung's ma...

Enzyme: A protein (or protein-based molecule) that speeds up a chemical reaction in a livi...

Enzymes: Proteins that act as a catalysts in mediating and speeding a specific chemical re...

Esophageal: Related to the esophagus.

Esophagitis: Inflammation of the esophagus.

Esophagus: The tube that connects the pharynx (throat) with the stomach. The esophagus lie...

Essential: In medicine, of unknown cause, as in essential hypertension (high blood pressur...

Estrogen: A female steroid hormone that is produced by the ovaries and, in lesser amounts,...

Familial: A condition that tends to occur more often in family members than is expected by...

Family history: The family structure and relationships within the family, including inform...

Fasting: : going without food or drink. Patients may be advised to fast for a certain peri...

Fatigue: A condition characterized by a lessened capacity for work and reduced efficiency ...

Fever: Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degr...

Fracture: A break in bone or cartilage. Although usually a result of trauma, a fracture ca...

Fungal: Pertaining to a fungus. For example, a fungal skin infection.

Fungi: Plural of fungus.

Gallbladder: A pear-shaped organ located below the liver that stores the bile secreted by ...

Gallstones: Stones that form when substances in the bile harden. Gallstones can be as smal...

Gastroesophageal: Pertaining to both the stomach and the esophagus, as in the gastroesopha...

Gastroesophageal reflux: The return of stomach contents back up into the esophagus This fr...

Gastrointestinal: Adjective referring collectively to the stomach and small and large inte...

Gastrointestinal tract: The stomach and intestines. Abbreviated GI tract.

GERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease.

HDL: High density lipoprotein.

Heart: The muscle that pumps blood received from veins into arteries throughout the body. ...

Heart attack: The death of heart muscle due to the loss of blood supply. The loss of bloo...

Heart disease: Any disorder that affects the heart. Sometimes the term "heart disease" is ...

Heart failure: Inability of the heart to keep up with the demands on it and, specifically...

Heart muscle: A type of muscle with unique features only found in the heart. The heart mus...

Heart rate: The number of heartbeats per unit of time, usually per minute. The heart rate ...

Heart rhythm disorders: Abnormal rhythm of the heartbeat due to irregularities in transmis...

Heart valves: There are four heart valves. All are one-way valves. Blood entering the ...

Heartburn: An uncomfortable feeling of burning and warmth occurring in waves rising up be...

Heparin: An anticoagulant (anti-clotting) medication. Heparin is useful in preventing thro...

Hernia: A general term referring to a protrusion of a tissue through the wall of the cavit...

Herpes: A family of viruses. Herpes also refers to infection with one of the human herpesv...

Herpes zoster: Also called shingles, zona, and zoster. The culprit is the varicella-zoster...

Hiatal: Pertaining to an hiatus, an opening.

Hiatal hernia: An anatomical abnormality in which part of the stomach protrudes up through...

High blood pressure: A repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg. Chro...

HIV: Acronym for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodefi...

Hoarseness: Hoarseness is a term referring to abnormal voice changes. Hoarseness may be ma...

Hormone: A chemical substance produced in the body that controls and regulates the activit...

Hygiene: The science of preventive medicine and the preservation of health. Also commonly ...

Hypercholesterolemia: High blood cholesterol. This can be sporadic (occurring with no fami...

Ibuprofen: A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is commonly used to treat pa...

Immune: Protected against infection, usually by the presence of antibodies.

Immune system: A complex system that is responsible for distinguishing a person from every...

Indicate: In medicine, to make a treatment or procedure advisable because of a particular ...

Infarction: The formation of an infarct, an area of tissue death, due to a local lack of o...

Infection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, an...

Inflammation: A localized reaction that produces redness, warmth, swelling, and pain as a ...

Injury: Harm or hurt. To harm, hurt, or wound. The word injure may be in physical or emot...

Internal bleeding: Bleeding inside the body that is not seen from the outside. Internal bl...

Intervention: The act of intervening, interfering or interceding with the intent of modify...

Jaw: The movable junction of the bones below the mouth (the mandible) and the bone just ab...

Leg: In popular usage, the part of the body from the top of the thigh down to the foot, an...

Lightheadedness: A feeling you are "going to faint." Lightheadedness is medically distinc...

Lipid: Another word for "fat." (Please see the various meanings of Fat.) A lipid is more f...

Lipid profile: A pattern of lipids in the blood. A lipid profile usually includes the leve...

Lipoprotein: A molecule that is a combination of lipid and protein. Lipids do not travel i...

Lipoproteins: Complexes of lipid and protein, the way lipids travel in the blood.

Lungs: The lungs are a pair of breathing organs located with the chest which remove carbon...

Marijuana: A common street and recreational drug that comes from the marijuana plant: the ...

Medical history: 1. In clinical medicine, the patient's past and present which may ...

Menopause: The time in a woman's life when menstrual periods permanently stop; it is also...

Mitral valve: A valve in the heart that is situated between the left atrium and the left v...

Mitral valve prolapse: A common heart valve anomaly affecting 5'10 percent of people that ...

Mortality: A fatal outcome or, in one word, death. The word "mortality" is derived from "m...

Mortality rate: A death rate. There are a number of different types of mortality rates as,...

Mouth: 1. The upper opening of the digestive tract, beginning with the lips and con...

Mucus: A thick fluid that is produced by the lining of some organs of the body.

Muscle: Muscle is the tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power. T...

Myocardial infarction: A heart attack. Abbreviated MI.

Nausea: Stomach queasiness, the urge to vomit. Nausea can be brought on by many causes, in...

Neck: The part of the body joining the head to the shoulders. Also, any narrow or constric...

Nerve: A bundle of fibers that uses electrical and chemical signals to transmit sensory an...

Nicotine: An alkaloid (a nitrogen-containing chemical) made by the tobacco plant or produc...

Obesity: The state of being well above one's normal weight.

Onset: In medicine, the first appearance of the signs or symptoms of an illness as, for ex...

Oxygen: The odorless gas that is present in the air and necessary to maintain life. Oxygen...

Pain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pa...

Palpitations: Unpleasant sensations of irregular and/or forceful beating of the heart. In ...

Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas. Of the many causes of pancreatitis, the most c...

Panic: A sudden strong feeling of fear that prevents reasonable thought or action. The wor...

Pericarditis: Inflammation of the lining around the heart (the pericardium) that causes ch...

Pericardium: The conical sac of fibrous tissue that surrounds the heart and the roots of ...

Pharmacy: A location where prescription medications are sold. A pharmacy is constantly sup...

Pleurisy: Inflammation of the pleurae, the membranes surrounding the lungs. Symptoms inclu...

Pneumonia: Inflammation of one or both lungs, with dense areas of lung inflammation. Pneum...

Pneumothorax: Free air in the chest outside the lung. Pneumothorax can occur spontaneously...

Polygenic: Pertaining to two or more genes. As opposed to monogenic.

Postmenopausal: After menopause, the period of time after a woman has experienced 12 conse...

Pregnancy: The state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the female body. Thi...

Probe: (1) In surgery, a probe is a slender flexible rod with a blunt end used to e...

Progesterone: A female hormone, the principal hormone that prepares the uterus to receive ...

Prognosis: The forecast of the probable outcome or course of a disease; the patient's chan...

Pulmonary: Having to do with the lungs.

Pulmonary embolism: Sudden closure of a pulmonary artery or one of its branches, caused by...

Pulmonary embolus: A blood clot or foreign material that has been carried through the bloo...

Radiate: To spread out from a central area. For example, sciatic pain may radiate outward ...

Radiation: 1. Rays of energy. Gamma rays and X-rays are two of the types of energy ...

Rash: Breaking out (eruption) of the skin. A rash can be caused by an underlying medical c...

Recurrence: The return of a sign, symptom, or disease after a remission. The reappearance ...

Reflux: The term used when liquid backs up into the esophagus from the stomach.

Regurgitation: A backward flowing. For example, vomiting is a regurgitation of food from t...

Renal: Having to do with the kidney. For example, renal cancer is cancer of the kidneys.

Risk factor: Something that increases a person's chances of developing a disease. For exam...

Rule out: Term used in medicine, meaning to eliminate or exclude something from considera...

Rupture: A break or tear in any organ (such as the spleen) or soft tissue (such as the ach...

Saturated fat: A fat that contains only saturated fatty acids, is solid at room temperatur...

Scaffold: 1. In genetics, the chromosome structure consisting entirely of nonhiston...

Scan: As a noun, the data or image obtained from the examination of organs or regions of...

Scleroderma: A disease of connective tissue that causes scar tissue (fibrosis) to form in ...

Sensation: In medicine and physiology, sensation refers to the registration of an incoming...

Serum: The clear liquid that can be separated from clotted blood. Serum differs from plas...

Shingles: An acute infection caused by the herpes zoster virus, the same virus as causes ...

Shortness of breath: Difficulty in breathing. Medically referred to as dyspnea. Shortness ...

Shoulder: A structure made up of two main bones: the scapula (shoulder blade) and the hume...

Smooth muscle: Along with skeletal and cardiac muscle, one of the types of muscle tissue i...

Sneeze: 1. As a verb, to suddenly expel air through the nose and mouth by an involu...

Sore: 1. (adjective) A popular term for painful, such as a sore throat. 2. (...

Sore throat: Pain in the throat. Sore throat may be caused by many different causes, inclu...

Spasm: A brief, automatic jerking movement. A muscle spasm can be quite painful, with the ...

Sputum: Mucous material from the lungs that is produced (brought up) by coughing.

Statins: A class of drugs that lower cholesterol.

Stent: A tube designed to be inserted into a vessel or passageway to keep it open. Stents ...

Steroid: One of a large group of chemical substances classified by a specific carbon struc...

Stomach: The digestive organ that is located in the upper abdomen, under the ribs. The upp...

Stress: In a medical or biological context stress is a physical, mental, or emotional fact...

Stroke: The sudden death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen, caused by blockage of blood...

Surgery: The branch of medicine that employs operations in the treatment of disease or inj...

Sweating: The act of secreting fluid from the skin by the sweat (sudoriferous) glands. The...

Symptom: Any subjective evidence of disease. In contrast, a sign is objective. Blood comin...

Taste: A perception that results from stimulation of a gustatory nerve. Taste belongs to t...

Tear: A drop of the salty secretion of the lacrimal glands which serves to moisten the con...

Therapy: The treatment of disease. Therapy is synonymous with treatment.

Thoracic: Pertaining to the chest. For example, the thoracic aorta is the part of the aort...

Thorax: The area of the body that is located between the abdomen and the neck. Within the ...

Throat: The throat is the anterior (front) portion of the neck beginning at the back of th...

Tongue: A strong muscle that is anchored to the floor of the mouth. The tongue is covered ...

Transesophageal echocardiography: A diagnostic test, using a special probe placed within t...

Trauma: A physical or emotional injury.

Triglycerides: The major form of fat stored by the body. A triglyceride consists of three ...

Ultrasound: High-frequency sound waves. Ultra-sound waves can be bounced off tissues by us...

Vessel: A tube in the body that carries fluids. Examples of vessels are blood vessels and ...

Viral: Of or pertaining to a virus. For example, if a person has a viral rash, the rash wa...

Viral infection: Infection caused by the presence of a virus in the body. Depending on...

Viruses: Small living particles that can infect cells and change how the cells function. I...

Viscus: An internal organ of the body, specifically one within the chest (as the heart or ...

Vital: Necessary to maintain life. For example, breathing is a vital function.

X-ray: High-energy radiation with waves shorter than those of visible light. X-ray is used...