Abbreviations

[Binnick]

Would it be possible for someone to post a glossary of all the abbreviated names for cardiac problems? I get confused with the many conditions when the full name is not used

[080311]

Hello Binnick,

If you go onto Pinned Posts press see all and one of the BHF nurses Helen as put a list of abbreviations up. Hope that helps I know I found it really useful when I couldn’t work out what things were 😂

Pauline

[Binnick in reply to 080311]

Thank you so much. I have several heart conditions and find the professionals terminology mystifying! I appreciate your prompt reply.

[Will23 in reply to 080311]

Is it possible to make the list of abbreviations more accessible? It is very frustrating to see so many abbreviations.

[080311 in reply to Will23]

Sorry don’t know, that’s where I found the list when I first joined the forum. Maybe if you do a general post someone will come along to help, I know there are a few members who have worked in IT. Maybe there is a way you could print out Helens list but really don’t know.

Pauline

[Sunnie2day in reply to Will23]

I copied and pasted it to a word doc when Helen first posted it. I've since alphabetised it and added to it as I've encountered new abbreviations - the thing is now four pages long and still growing!

[Will23 in reply to Sunnie2day]

where is this list now?

[Sunnie2day in reply to Will23]

Mine is on my desktop for quick reference, Helen's is at the link posted below by Baba.

[scotsrish in reply to Will23]

Such a good idea i agree and find it quite frustrating myself.

[LBCdance]

I feel exactly the same, can work out some, but not all, wonder if there is a leaflet somewhere

[baba]

See this post:

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

[Scific]

Hi Binnick,I was in the same boat and so have knocked up the following list, I haven't covered everything but it's a start. Hope all goes well.

Abbreviations and terms

AAA - Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, An aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel caused by a weakness in the blood vessel wall, usually where it branches.

AF/Afib - atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate. A normal heart rate should be regular and between 60 and 100 beats a minute when you're resting.

Arrhythmia - means an abnormal heart rhythm

AVR - Aortic Valve Replacement

CA - coronary arrest

CABG - coronary artery bypass graft

CAD - coronary artery disease

CCU - Coronary Care Unit

CHD – coronary heart disease

COPD - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CPR - cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CVD - cardio vascular disease

DBP - diastolic blood pressure (this is the lowest level of your blood pressure, when your heart relaxes between beats

DCM - Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a type of heart muscle disease that causes the heart chambers (ventricles) to thin and stretch, growing larger. It typically starts in the heart's main pumping chamber (left ventricle). This makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body.

ECG - an electrocardiogram records the rhythm, rate and electrical activity of your heart.

HBR - heart beat rate

HDU - high dependency unit

Heart block – a type of abnormal heart rhythm when there is a delay in the electrical conduction system of the heart between the top and bottom chamber.

HF – heart failure

Hypertension – medical term for high blood pressure.

ICD - internal cardioverter defibrillator, usually used to treat life threatening arrhythmias.

ICU-intensive care unit

Ischaemic heart disease (or coronary heart disease) - the word 'ischaemic' means there is a lack of oxygenated blood supply to a part of the body.

JCC - joint cardiology conference

MI – myocardial infarction (this is the medical term for a heart attack)

MIDCAB -minimally invasive CABG

MRI -magnetic resonance imaging

MVA - MicroVascular Angina

MVD - MicroVascular Disease

PAD - peripheral arterial disease

POBA - Percutaneous Old Balloon Angioplasty is accepted worldwide for the treatment of obstructive coronary artery disease because this technique is safe, and quick and the patient may return to work earlier than with bypass surgery (particularly elderly patients).

RESUS - resuscitation unit

Stemi - this stands for 'ST-elevation myocardial infarction' – it’s a type of heart attack. ST-elevation refers to the area of the heart affected on the ECG reading.

SVT - supraventricular tachycardia (this is a condition when the top chambers of your heart suddenly beats much faster than usual)

Systolic blood pressure - this is the highest level of your blood pressure, when your heart beats and contracts to pump blood through your arteries.

TAA - Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

TIA - transient ischaemic attack (also known as a mini-stroke)

WPW - Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a relatively common heart condition that causes the heart to beat abnormally fast for periods of time.

[Binnick in reply to Scific]

Thank you for that comprehensive list! It’s a real help!