Introduction
This paper defines and explains medical vocabulary related to various heart and lung conditions. Understanding these terms is essential to the quality of care as they inform these conditions’ diagnosis, treatment, and management.
Vocabulary Definitions and Explanations
STEMI and PCI
The ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a medical emergency caused by a blockage of one of the coronary arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle due to a blood clot. This blockage decreases blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart muscle, causing damage to the heart tissue ( ). These blockages in the coronary arteries are treated using percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), which uses a catheter and, in some cases, a stent to restore blood flow.
ECG
Heart conditions such as STEMI rely on the electrocardiogram (ECG) for diagnostic tests as it records the heart’s electrical activity. The ECG is a non-invasive and painless test that places electrodes on the skin of the chest, arms, and legs, which are then connected to an ECG machine. The ECG machine detects the heart’s electrical impulses and displays them as a graph on a monitor enabling healthcare providers to evaluate the heart’s rhythm and identify abnormalities ( ).
Pericarditis
Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium-a thin sac-like membrane surrounding the heart. The inflation causes chest pains accompanied by a low-grade fever, fatigue, and feeling unwell ( ). Various agents, including autoimmune disorders, cancer, chest trauma and viral or bacterial infections, causing pericarditis. According to ( ), pericarditis is treated and managed by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine, corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medications depending on the underlying cause.
Hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is characterized by abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries. Blood pressure is measured using systolic pressure (the top number) and diastolic pressure (the bottom number). Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg, while hypertension is a systolic blood pressure of 130 mmHg or higher or a diastolic blood pressure of 80 mmHg or higher ( ). Hypertension is often asymptomatic and can cause blood vessels and organ damage over time. Its causal agents include genetics, age, lifestyle factors and underlying medical conditions. In contrast, treatment may include lifestyle changes such as weight loss, a healthy diet, and medications such as diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, or calcium channel blockers.
Cardiac enzymes and sedimentation rate
Cardiac enzymes and sedimentation rate are laboratory tests to diagnose and monitor heart health and inflammation. Cardiac enzymes, including creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB, and troponin, are released into the blood when the heart muscle is damaged. Measuring their levels informs the extent of heart muscle damage and guides treatment decisions ( ). On the other hand, the sedimentation rate (ESR) measures the rate at which red blood cells settle to the bottom of a tube over a specified period ( ). Notably, cardiac enzymes are specific markers of heart muscle damage, while the sedimentation rate is a more general marker of inflammation in the body.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, causing cough, fever, and difficulty breathing due to bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Regardless of the causal agent, diagnosis is based on symptoms, physical exam findings, and imaging studies such as a chest X-ray or CT scan. However, treatment for pneumonia depends on the cause and severity of the infection, for bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics, viral pneumonia, antiviral and fungal pneumonia, and antifungal medications. In addition to medications, vaccination and supportive care include rest, fluids, and oxygen therapy.
Pulmonary Embolism
A pulmonary embolism is a blockage of one or more lung arteries, usually caused by a blood clot travelling from another body part. It can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Diagnosis is typically made using imaging studies such as a CT scan, which can identify the location and size of the blood clot. Treatment may involve blood thinners or clot-dissolving medication and surgery to remove the clot in severe cases.
Conclusion
In conclusion, defining these terms has highlighted their inter-relatedness in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of heart conditions. Medical conditions such as Pulmonary embolism, Pericarditis, STEMI and PCI can be diagnosed using ESG, cardiac enzymes and a sedimentation rate and treated and managed using NSAIDs, colchicine, diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, or calcium channel blockers and lifestyle changes.
References
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