Related Words

Cardiac: Related to heart disorders.

Cardiac Muscle: The type of muscle that is found in the walls of the heart. Cardiac muscle is striated but branched, unlike the straight-shaped striated skeletal muscle cells.

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca): Antispasm, nervine hepatic, cardiac tonic, hypotensive. The latin names of this plant show its range of uses from delayed menstrual due to anxiety and uterine conditions while cardiaca indic . . . View Full Definition

Cardiac Cycle: One heartbeat; consists of atrial contraction and relaxation, ventricular contraction and relaxation, and a short pause.

Cardiac Mark: An elongate midline mark on the anterior, dorsal surface of the abdomen which overlies the heart.

Respiratory Arrest: The absense of breathing or presence of agonal respirations. In most cases, victims of respiratory arrest are also suffering from cardiac arrest, and should receive CPR.

Agonal Respirations: Irregular, gasping breaths often seen during cardiac arrest. In most cases, rescuers will see victims take these gasping breaths no more than 10 to 12 times per minute: that's one every five . . . View Full Definition

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): CPR, combines compressions of the chest with rescue breathing to keep blood flowing through the body and brain while delivering oxygen to the bloodstream. CPR is the first step in treating c . . . View Full Definition

Beta-Blocker: An agent that inhibits the action of beta-adrenergic receptors, which modulate cardiac functions, respiratory functions, and the dilation of blood vessels. Beta-blockers are of value in the . . . View Full Definition

Muscle: Tissue consisting of fibres organized into bands or bundles that contract to cause bodily movement. Muscle fibres run in the same direction as the action they perform.