Narrowing of the opening of the aortic valve (the valve that regulates blood flow from the left ventricle into the aorta).
The curved portion of the aorta (the large blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the body).īackwards leakage of blood from the aorta, through a weakened aortic valve, and into the left ventricle, resulting in stress in the left heart and inadequate blood flow to the body. The largest artery in the body and the primary blood vessel which carries oxygenated blood out of the heart to the rest of the body. Refers to a group of congenital heart defects in which there is a normal amount of oxygen in the bloodstream, giving a pink color to the lips and nail beds.Ī surgical connection, often between two blood vessels.Ī thin, weakened area in a blood vessel or area of the heart.Īn x-ray study that uses dye injected into arteries to study blood circulation.Ī non-surgical procedure for treating narrowed arteries.Ī medication that keeps blood from clotting. Cardiac ablation also refers to a procedure that eliminates extra electrical pathways within the heart that can cause fast or irregular heart rhythms.ĪCE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitorĪ medication that opens up blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood forward to the body also used to lower blood pressure.