AV Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia is a common type of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), meaning a fast heart rhythm that starts above the ventricles. It happens when an electrical “short circuit” forms in or near the atrioventricular (AV) node, a normal relay station in the heart’s conduction system. It often causes sudden episodes of rapid, regular palpitations that start and stop abruptly. The term is commonly used in emergency care, cardiology clinics, and electrophysiology (heart rhythm) practice to describe and treat a specific SVT mechanism.

Paroxysmal SVT is a heart rhythm problem where the heart suddenly races and then stops just as suddenly. “SVT” means supraventricular tachycardia, or a fast rhythm that starts above the ventricles (the heart’s main pumping chambers). “Paroxysmal” means the episodes come and go rather than being constant. The term is commonly used in clinic notes, emergency care, ECG interpretations, and electrophysiology (heart rhythm) discussions.

SVT is a type of abnormally fast heart rhythm that starts above the heart’s ventricles. SVT commonly causes sudden episodes of rapid heartbeat, often felt as palpitations. SVT is a clinical term used in cardiology, emergency medicine, and primary care. SVT is typically diagnosed with an electrocardiogram (ECG) and rhythm monitoring.

Supraventricular Tachycardia is a fast heart rhythm that starts above the ventricles (the heart’s lower pumping chambers). It usually involves the atria or the atrioventricular (AV) node, which are parts of the heart’s electrical system. People often describe it as a sudden racing heartbeat that may start and stop abruptly. The term is commonly used in emergency care, outpatient cardiology, and heart rhythm (electrophysiology) clinics.

Atrial Flutter is a common abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that starts in the atria, the heart’s upper chambers. It is usually caused by a rapid, organized electrical “loop” that makes the atria beat very fast. It can lead to a fast pulse, shortness of breath, fatigue, or no symptoms at all. The term is commonly used in ECG interpretation, emergency care, cardiology clinics, and electrophysiology (heart rhythm) practice.

AF is short for atrial fibrillation. It is a common heart rhythm disorder where the upper chambers (atria) beat in a disorganized way. AF is often discussed in clinics, hospitals, ECG reports, and wearable heart rhythm alerts. It matters because it can affect symptoms, heart function, and stroke risk.

Atrial Fibrillation is a common abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). It happens when the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat in a rapid, disorganized way. This can make the pulse irregular and sometimes fast. The term is used in clinics, hospitals, ECG reports, and cardiology discussions to describe this specific rhythm pattern.

Arrhythmia means an abnormal heart rhythm. It can describe a heartbeat that is too fast, too slow, or irregular. Arrhythmia is a common term in cardiology visits, ECG reports, and emergency care. It is used to link symptoms like palpitations or fainting to the heart’s electrical system.

Cardiac Fibrosis is a process where normal heart muscle tissue is partly replaced or surrounded by scar-like connective tissue. It can develop after injury (such as a heart attack) or from long-term stress on the heart (such as high blood pressure). It is commonly discussed in cardiology because it can affect heart pumping, relaxation, and electrical stability. It is assessed using clinical history and tests like echocardiography and cardiac MRI, and sometimes with biopsy.

Ventricular Remodeling describes changes in the size, shape, and function of a heart ventricle over time. It most often refers to the left ventricle, the main pumping chamber that sends blood to the body. These changes can happen after a heart attack, with long-standing high blood pressure, or with valve disease. Clinicians use the term to describe both harmful changes and improvement (“reverse remodeling”) with treatment.

LVH stands for **left ventricular hypertrophy**. It means the **muscle wall of the heart’s left ventricle is thicker than expected**. LVH is commonly discussed in **blood pressure care, valve disease, and cardiology imaging reports**. It can be found on an **ECG**, an **echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)**, or a **cardiac MRI**.

Left Ventricular Hypertrophy means the muscular wall of the heart’s left ventricle has become thicker than expected. The left ventricle is the main pumping chamber that sends blood to the body through the aorta. The term is used in cardiology to describe a structural change that can be seen or suspected on heart testing. It is most commonly discussed in the context of high blood pressure, valve disease, and some cardiomyopathies.

Ischemic Cardiomyopathy is a type of heart muscle weakness caused by reduced blood flow from coronary artery disease. It usually refers to long-term damage or dysfunction after heart attacks or repeated episodes of low oxygen to the heart. It is commonly used in cardiology to explain heart failure symptoms and reduced pumping function. It also helps clinicians frame testing and treatment options around coronary circulation and heart muscle viability.

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy is a type of heart muscle weakness that occurs late in pregnancy or soon after delivery. It can cause heart failure symptoms because the heart cannot pump blood as effectively as expected. It is commonly used as a clinical diagnosis in obstetrics, emergency care, and cardiology. It is discussed when pregnancy-associated shortness of breath, swelling, or fatigue seems out of proportion.

Myocarditis means inflammation of the heart muscle (the myocardium). It is a clinical diagnosis used when heart muscle injury is suspected to be driven by infection, immune reactions, or other triggers. It can range from mild, self-limited illness to severe heart dysfunction and rhythm problems. The term is commonly used in emergency care, cardiology clinics, and inpatient cardiology/critical care settings.

Stress Cardiomyopathy is a sudden, usually temporary weakening of the heart muscle. It often happens after intense emotional or physical stress. It can look like a heart attack but is not the same condition. It is commonly discussed in emergency care, cardiology clinics, and hospital cardiology units.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy is a sudden, usually temporary weakening of the heart muscle. It often appears after intense emotional or physical stress and can resemble a heart attack. It is commonly discussed in emergency care, cardiology clinics, and hospital cardiology units. It is also called “stress cardiomyopathy” in many clinical settings.

ARVC is a heart muscle disease that can cause abnormal heart rhythms. The letters usually refer to *arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy*. In ARVC, parts of the heart muscle may be replaced by fibrous and fatty tissue over time. It is commonly discussed in cardiology clinics when evaluating palpitations, fainting, or ventricular arrhythmias.

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy is a heart muscle disease that can trigger abnormal heart rhythms. It most often affects the right ventricle, the chamber that pumps blood to the lungs. In this condition, parts of the heart muscle can be replaced by scar and fatty tissue over time. It is commonly used as a diagnosis when evaluating ventricular arrhythmias, fainting episodes, or a concerning family history.

Restrictive Cardiomyopathy is a type of heart muscle disease where the ventricles become stiff and do not relax normally. It mainly causes “diastolic dysfunction,” meaning the heart has trouble filling with blood between beats. It is commonly discussed in cardiology clinics and hospitals when evaluating unexplained heart failure symptoms with a relatively normal pumping function. It is also a key diagnosis in imaging labs, heart failure programs, and electrophysiology (rhythm) care because it often overlaps with arrhythmias and fluid retention.