Congestive Heart Failure Dictionary

American College of Cardiology scale: This classification system uses the letters A to D to chart a person's risk for developing heart failure. For example, a person who has several risk factors for heart failure is Stage A. Even though this person may not yet have symptoms of heart failure or any structural abnormality of the heart, doctors can use this classification to identify the risk factors and begin early, more aggressive treatment to help prevent or delay heart failure.

angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: ACE inhibitors, such as captopril and enalapril, open up blood vessels and decrease the workload of the heart.

angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs): ARBs, such as losartan and candesartan, are medications that reduce the workload of the heart. This class of drug is especially important for those who cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors.

aortic coarctation: Narrowing of the aorta.

aortic valve stenosis (AS): A heart condition caused by the incomplete opening of the aortic valve. Can contribute to heart failure.

beta-blockers: A group of drugs that affect the activity of the nervous system by blocking certain receptors at nerve endings. Beta-blockers reduce heart rate and blood pressure.

brain natriuretic peptide (BNP): A specific chemical markers of heart failure. BNP is secreted by the heart at high levels when the heart is injured or overworked.

cardiomyopathy: The deterioration of the function of the myocardium, or the heart muscle.

congestive cardiac failure (CCF): See congestive heart failure.

congestive heart failure (CHF): A condition that can result from any structural or functional cardiac disorder that impairs the ability of the heart to fill with or pump a sufficient amount of blood throughout the body.

cor pulmonale: A medical term used to describe a change in structure and function of the right ventricle.

coronary catheterization (angiogram): In this test, a thin, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel at your groin or arm and guided through the aorta into your coronary arteries. A dye injected through the catheter makes the arteries supplying your heart visible on an X-ray. This test helps doctors identify narrowed arteries to your heart (coronary artery disease) that can be a cause of heart failure. The test may include a ventriculogram, a procedure to determine the strength of the left ventricle (the heart's main pumping chamber) and the health of the heart valves.

diastolic congestive heart failure: Heart failure that occurs when the heart muscle can't relax enough to let the heart chambers fill up with blood, preventing blood from traveling to in preparation the lungs and other organs and tissues.

digitalis glycosides: Medications that increase the ability of the heart muscle to contract properly and that help prevent heart rhythm disturbances.

dilated cardiomyopathy: A condition in which the heart becomes weakened and enlarged and cannot pump blood efficiently. The decreased heart function can affect the lungs, liver and other body systems.

diuretics: Medications that they help rid the body of fluid and sodium.

echocardiogram: An important test for diagnosing and monitoring heart failure. An echocardiogram also helps distinguish systolic heart failure from diastolic heart failure, in which the heart is stiff and can't fill properly. An echocardiogram uses sound waves to produce a video image of your heart. This image can help doctors determine how well your heart is pumping by measuring the percentage of blood pumped out of your heart's main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) with each heartbeat. This measurement is called the ejection fraction.

electrocardiogram (ECG): This test records the electrical activity of your heart through electrodes attached to your skin. Impulses are recorded as waves and displayed on a monitor or printed on paper. This test helps your doctor diagnose heart rhythm problems and damage to your heart from a heart attack.

edema: An observable swelling from fluid accumulation in certain body tissues. Edema most commonly occurs in the feet and legs, where it also is referred to as peripheral edema. The swelling is the result of the accumulation of excess fluid under the skin in the spaces within the tissues that are outside of the blood vessels. Can be the result of heart failure.