ASD most commonly means **atrial septal defect**, a hole or gap in the wall between the heart’s two upper chambers. It is a **congenital heart defect**, meaning it is present from birth. ASD is commonly discussed in cardiology clinics, echocardiography reports, and adult congenital heart disease care. Depending on size and anatomy, an ASD can have little effect or can change how blood flows through the heart and lungs.
Atrial Septal Defect is a hole or opening in the wall (septum) between the heart’s two upper chambers (atria). It is a type of congenital heart disease, meaning it is present from birth, even if found later in life. Clinicians use the term when describing heart structure, blood flow patterns, and potential effects on the right side of the heart.
CHD most commonly means **coronary heart disease**, a condition where blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced. It is usually caused by narrowing of the **coronary arteries** (the heart’s own blood vessels). Clinicians use the term in clinic notes, hospital charts, imaging reports, and research to describe coronary artery–related disease. In some settings (especially pediatrics), CHD can also mean **congenital heart disease**, so context matters.
Congenital Heart Disease means a heart or great-vessel problem that is present at birth. It can affect the heart’s structure, the direction of blood flow, or how the heart pumps. The term is used in pediatrics and adult cardiology because many people now live well into adulthood with repaired or unrepaired defects. It is also used in imaging reports, surgical planning, and lifelong follow-up care.
Pericardiocentesis is a procedure that removes fluid from the sac around the heart. That sac is called the pericardium, and excess fluid is called a pericardial effusion. It is commonly used in emergency and hospital settings when fluid is affecting heart function. It can also be used to collect fluid for testing to help identify the cause of the effusion.
Pulsus Paradoxus is an exaggerated drop in systolic blood pressure during inspiration (breathing in). It is assessed at the bedside using a blood pressure cuff or an arterial line waveform. Clinicians use it as a clue to certain heart and lung conditions that restrict normal filling of the heart. It is a physiologic sign, not a disease by itself.
Cardiac Tamponade is a condition where fluid, blood, or air builds up around the heart and prevents it from filling normally. It happens inside the pericardium, the thin sac that surrounds the heart. Because the heart cannot fill well, less blood is pumped to the body. It is commonly discussed in emergency care, cardiology, critical care, and after some cardiac procedures.
Pericardial Effusion means there is extra fluid in the pericardial space around the heart. That space sits between the heart and the pericardium, the thin sac that surrounds it. Small amounts of fluid can be normal, but larger or rapidly accumulating fluid can be clinically important. It is commonly discussed in cardiology, emergency care, intensive care, oncology, and post–cardiac surgery settings.
Constrictive Pericarditis is a condition where the pericardium (the thin sac around the heart) becomes stiff and limits the heart’s ability to fill normally. It most often shows up as symptoms of fluid overload, such as swelling, abdominal fullness, or shortness of breath. It is commonly discussed in cardiology when evaluating unexplained right-sided heart failure signs or persistent symptoms after pericardial inflammation. It is also a key diagnosis considered when imaging suggests a thickened or calcified pericardium.
Acute Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the thin sac surrounding the heart. It commonly causes sharp chest pain that can change with breathing or body position. Clinicians use the term to describe a specific pattern of symptoms, exam findings, and test results. It is most often discussed in emergency, hospital, and outpatient cardiology settings.
Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the thin sac that surrounds the heart. It commonly causes sharp chest pain and may occur after infections, autoimmune disease, or cardiac injury. Pericarditis is a clinical diagnosis used in emergency, primary care, and cardiology settings. It is also a key term in cardiovascular imaging and inpatient medicine when evaluating chest pain and fluid around the heart.
Annular Calcification is a buildup of calcium within the fibrous “ring” (annulus) that supports a heart valve. It is most often discussed around the mitral valve (mitral annular calcification) and can also involve the aortic valve annulus. Clinicians commonly identify it on echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart) and cardiac CT scans. It is usually a chronic, progressive finding rather than a sudden event.
Valve Calcification is the buildup of calcium deposits in or around a heart valve. It most commonly affects the aortic valve and the mitral valve region. Over time, it can make valve tissue stiffer and less able to open or close normally. Clinicians most often discuss it as an imaging finding on echocardiography or cardiac CT.
Rheumatic Heart Disease is long-term damage to heart valves caused by rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is an immune reaction that can follow untreated group A streptococcal throat infection. Rheumatic Heart Disease most often affects the mitral and aortic valves. It is commonly discussed in cardiology clinics, echocardiography labs, and heart valve programs, especially in regions where rheumatic fever remains prevalent.
Infective Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart (the endocardium), most often involving a heart valve. It usually happens when bacteria or fungi enter the bloodstream and attach to heart tissue. Clinicians use the term to describe a serious cardiovascular infection that can damage valves and spread to other organs. It is commonly discussed in cardiology, infectious diseases, cardiac surgery, and hospital medicine.
Bicuspid Aortic Valve is a congenital (present-from-birth) heart valve that has two leaflets instead of the usual three. It sits between the left ventricle (main pumping chamber) and the aorta (main artery to the body). It can work normally for years, or it can become narrowed (stenosis) or leaky (regurgitation). It is commonly discussed in cardiology during heart murmur evaluations and cardiac imaging such as echocardiography.
MVP most commonly refers to **mitral valve prolapse**. It means the **mitral valve leaflets “billow” upward** into the left atrium during heart contraction. MVP is usually discussed in the context of **heart murmurs, mitral regurgitation, and echocardiography**. Many people with MVP have few or no symptoms, but some develop valve leakage that needs monitoring.
Mitral Valve Prolapse is a condition in which the mitral valve leaflets bow backward into the left atrium during heart contraction. It is most often discussed in relation to mitral regurgitation, a “leak” of blood backward through the valve. It is commonly identified on echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound) and described in cardiology reports. It can be found incidentally or during evaluation of symptoms such as palpitations or shortness of breath.
Pulmonary Regurgitation is leakage of blood backward through the pulmonary valve after the heart pumps. It happens between the pulmonary artery and the right ventricle (the heart’s right-sided pumping chamber). Clinicians use the term when describing a valve finding on an exam or heart imaging such as echocardiography.
Pulmonary Stenosis means a narrowing that makes it harder for blood to leave the right side of the heart. It most often involves the pulmonary valve, which sits between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. It is commonly discussed in congenital heart disease (heart conditions present at birth). Clinicians use the term in exams and imaging reports to describe the location and severity of the narrowing.