Glossary
Arrhythmias: Abnormal rate or rhythm of the heart.ECG: A procedure that uses ultrasonic waves directed over the chest wall to obtain a graphic record of the heart''s position, motion of the walls, or internal parts such as the valves.
Calcium Channel blocker: A type of medication which relieves high blood pressure (hypertension) and angina by interrupting the influx of calcium into the muscle of the heart and arteries, which is needed for contraction.
Atrial Fibrillation: A disorder of heart rhythm in which the normally regular contractions of the atria of the heart are replaced by rapid and random twitching, resulting in irregular and usually faster than usual contractions of the ventricles.
Palpitations: Awareness of ones own heart beat.
Syncope: Loss of consciousness.
Ventricular Fibrillation: Disorganized, rapid contractions of the muscle of the two ventricles [largest chambers] of the heart, incompatible with life.
Ventricular Tachycardia: Regular heart rate which originates electrically in the ventricles of the heart and which is so abnormally fast that pumping efficiency is severely compromised, causing breathlessness, intolerance of effort, and eventually heart failure.
