Core cardiology vocabulary in plain English: heart anatomy, symptoms, common conditions, and the tests used to diagnose them — for nursing students, pre-med and medical assistants.
Last updated: September 9, 2026
Cardiology is the study of the heart and blood vessels. Its vocabulary blends anatomy (myocardium, valve, coronary artery), common conditions (hypertension, heart attack, arrhythmia) and characteristic tests (ECG, echocardiogram). Knowing these terms helps you read a chart or a cardiology note with confidence.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Myocardium | The heart muscle that contracts to pump blood through the body. |
| Atrium | An upper chamber of the heart that receives blood; there are two, right and left. |
| Ventricle | A lower chamber of the heart that pumps blood out; the left ventricle supplies the whole body. |
| Aorta | The largest artery in the body, carrying oxygen-rich blood away from the left ventricle. |
| Coronary artery | An artery that supplies blood to the heart muscle itself; a blockage causes a heart attack. |
| Heart valve | A structure that keeps blood flowing in one direction (mitral, aortic, tricuspid, pulmonary). |
| Pericardium | The membrane sac that surrounds and protects the heart. |
| Hypertension | Persistently high blood pressure in the arteries; a major cardiovascular risk factor. |
| Myocardial infarction | A heart attack: death of heart muscle when a coronary artery is blocked. A medical emergency. |
| Angina (angina pectoris) | Chest pain from a temporary lack of oxygen to the heart muscle, often brought on by exertion. |
| Arrhythmia | An abnormal heart rhythm that may be too fast, too slow, or irregular. |
| Atrial fibrillation | A common irregular, often rapid rhythm arising in the atria. |
| Tachycardia | A fast heart rate. |
| Bradycardia | A slow heart rate. |
| Heart failure | When the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. |
| Atherosclerosis | Buildup of fatty plaque that narrows and hardens the arteries. |
| Ischemia | Reduced blood supply to a tissue, limiting the oxygen it receives. |
| Palpitations | An awareness of the heartbeat as rapid, irregular, or unusually forceful. |
| Edema | Swelling caused by excess fluid, often in the legs or ankles; a sign of heart failure. |
| Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) | A painless recording of the heart's electrical activity, used to detect arrhythmias and heart attacks. |
| Echocardiogram | An ultrasound scan of the heart that shows its chambers, valves, and pumping function. |
| Ejection fraction | The percentage of blood the left ventricle pumps out with each beat; a measure of pump function. |
| Stent | A small mesh tube placed inside a narrowed artery to hold it open. |
| Anticoagulant | A medication that reduces the blood's ability to clot, helping prevent clots. |
| Cardiac catheterization | A procedure that threads a thin tube into the heart's vessels to diagnose or treat disease. |
| Pacemaker | An implanted device that sends electrical signals to regulate a slow heartbeat. |
Quizzes, flashcards and spaced repetition — free to get started.
Start learning free →Cardiology vocabulary describes the heart and blood vessels — their anatomy, the symptoms patients report, common conditions, and the tests used to diagnose them. It is essential for reading cardiac charts, notes and reports.
Yes. This vocabulary is core to US health programs — nursing school and NCLEX prep, pre-med, and medical assistant training. MediLearn lets you drill these terms with quizzes and flashcards using spaced repetition.
The largest artery in the body, carrying oxygen-rich blood away from the left ventricle.
A slow heart rate.
An ultrasound scan of the heart that shows its chambers, valves, and pumping function.