This glossary is about cardiology, which is the medical field that studies the heart and how it works. I created it to better understand some important terms we often hear in health science, especially when learning about heart problems and how blood flows in the body. It can help students like me get familiar with key vocabulary before becoming a doctor.
appointment
noun
A formal arrangement to meet or visit someone at a particular time and place.
Example: I have a dentist’s appointment in two weeks.
fr: rendez-vous
artery
noun
Any of the muscular-walled tubes forming part of the circulation system by which blood (mainly that which has been oxygenated) is conveyed from the heart to all parts of the body.
Example: The surgeon repaired the damaged artery.
fr: artère
blood pressure
noun
The force exerted by blood against the walls of the arteries as it is pumped by the heart.
Example: His blood pressure was too high.
fr: tension artérielle
cardiologist
noun
A doctor who specializes in treating heart diseases.
Example: She went to see a cardiologist for her chest pain.
fr: cardiologue
cardiovascular
adjective
The heart (cardio) and the blood vessels (vascular).
Example: Cardiovascular exercise strengthens the heart.
fr: cardiovasculaire
diagnosis
noun
The identification of the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the symptoms.
heart
noun
The heart is the organ in your chest that pumps blood all over your body.
Example: The nurse checked my heart to see if everything was okay.
fr: coeur
heart attack
noun
A sudden blockage of blood flow to the heart.
Example: He had a heart attack a year ago.
fr: crise cardiaque
medical record
noun
A documented account of a person's health history and the care they have received.
Example: The nurse checked my medical record before giving me medicine.
fr: dossier médical
pulse
noun
The regular beating of the heart that can be felt at a certain points on the body.
Example: The nurse took his pulse.
fr: pouls
specialist
noun
A person who concentrates primarily on a particular subject or activity; a person highly skilled in a specific and restricted field.
Example: I saw a skin specialist for my rash.
fr: spécialiste
stroke
noun
Occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted, leading to brain cell damage.
Example: After the stroke, he had trouble speaking clearly.
fr: accident vasculaire cérébrale (AVC)
surgeon
noun
A medical practitioner qualified to practice surgery.
Example: The surgeon fixed my dad’s heart during a big surgery.
fr: chirurgien
surgery
noun
The branch of medical practice that treats injuries, diseases, and deformities by the physical removal, repair, or readjustment of organs and tissues, often involving cutting into the body.
Example: I had a surgery last week.
fr: chirurgie
symptoms
noun
A physical or mental feature which is regarded as indicating a condition of disease, particularly such a feature that is apparent to the patient.
Example: My symptoms were a fever, sore throat, and no energy.
fr: symptomes
treatment
noun
What the doctor gives you to help you feel better.
Example: The treatment for my sore throat was just rest and medicine.
fr: traitement
valve
noun
A part inside the heart that work like a door to keep blood moving the right way.
Example: His heart valve wasn’t closing properly, so he had surgery.
fr: valve
vein
noun
A blood vessel that carries blood back to the heart.
Example: The nurse inserted the needle into a vein.
