Cardiovascular Health Vocabulary

noun a bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood

• Cyanosis is a medical condition characterized by a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to insufficient oxygen in the blood.
• If you notice any cyanosis in your skin, it could be a sign of low oxygen levels.
• Yo, that dude's lips were straight up cyanosis, he needs to catch some breath!
• The dark clouds looming over the city gave it a cyanosis-like appearance, signaling an impending storm.

adjective relating to or affected by hypertension, or high blood pressure

• The patient was diagnosed with hypertensive crisis and was immediately admitted to the hospital.
• My grandma has to take medication for her hypertensive condition.
• I heard that stress can make you hypertensive, so try to relax more.
• The tension in the room was so high, it felt almost hypertensive.

noun a rhythmical throbbing of the arteries as blood is propelled through them, typically as felt in the wrists or neck

verb to beat or throb rhythmically

• The doctor checked the patient's pulse to monitor their heart rate.
• I can feel my pulse racing after that intense workout.
• I could hear the pulse of the music at the concert last night.
• The pulse of innovation drives the technology industry forward.

noun the phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood into the arteries

• The contraction phase of the cardiac cycle is known as systole.
• During systole, the heart muscle contracts to pump blood out.
• When the heart does its systole thing, it's like a little squeeze and release action.
• In life, we experience moments of systole where we must push through challenges with strength and determination.

noun a term used to describe the combined function of the heart and lungs

adjective relating to or affecting the heart and lungs

• Cardiorespiratory fitness is an important aspect of overall health and wellness.
• Working out regularly can improve your cardiorespiratory endurance.
• I need to get my cardio up so I can keep up with my friends on hikes.
• Her ability to handle stress is like a well-trained cardiorespiratory system.

noun a type of lipoprotein that carries cholesterol and triglycerides from the liver to the cells of the body

• Low-density lipoprotein is often referred to as 'bad' cholesterol due to its role in transporting cholesterol to the cells.
• Hey, did you know that low-density lipoprotein is the 'bad' cholesterol?
• Yo, low-density lipoprotein is like the 'icky' cholesterol that clogs up your arteries.
• Think of low-density lipoprotein as the 'villain' cholesterol that you want to keep at bay.

noun a restriction in blood supply to tissues, causing a shortage of oxygen and glucose needed for cellular metabolism

• Ischaemia is a condition in which there is an inadequate blood supply to a part of the body, causing tissue damage.
• Ischaemia occurs when not enough blood flow reaches a certain part of the body, leading to damage.
• Ischaemia is like when something gets choked off from its blood supply and starts to die.
• In a metaphorical sense, ischaemia can be compared to neglecting a vital aspect of one's life until it deteriorates.

noun An instrument used for measuring blood pressure

• The nurse used a sphygmomanometer to measure the patient's blood pressure.
• The doctor checked my blood pressure with that arm band thing, the sphygmomanometer.
• I hate when the nurse squeezes my arm with that blood pressure cuff, aka the sphygmomanometer.
• The sphygmomanometer of truth revealed the patient's hidden stress levels.