A Cardiology Terminology Glossary For Lay People

Here is a quick reference guide to commonly used cardiology terms that you may run across.

What follows is a far from complete guide to cardiology terms and their meaning. It is provided to you as a bonus post for paid subscribers only.

Angina: Usually, but not always, chest pains which are caused by blocked coronary arteries.

ACE or ACEI: Angiotensin converting enzyme causes blood pressure to rise, and by blocking it, blood pressure is lowered. ACE inhibitors, or ACEI, are a common class of HTN meds.

ASCVD: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, also known as “hardening of the arteries.”

AF: Atrial fibrillation is a fast, irregular heart rate and rhythm that may lead to strokes and heart failure.

CABG: Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery uses a vein or artery in a patient to bypass blocked coronary arteries.

CAD: Coronary Artery Disease, which is atherosclerosis of the arteries over the heart. Blockages here cause angina, heart attacks, and even sudden death.

CHD: This one can be confusing, as it used to stand for congenital heart disease. It now more often means coronary he…