Circulatory Disorders

Stroke A group of brain disorders involving loss of brain functions that occur when the blood supply to any part of the brain is interrupted.

Heart Attack a.k.a. myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to an area of the heart is decreased or cut off and the cells in the affected area of the heart muscle die from lack of oxygen

Aneurysm The widening of an artery with an increase of greater than 1.5 times the normal diameter. A weakened wall of an artery is stretched as the blood is pumped through it, often creating an egg-shaped ballooning. An aneurysm can occur in any blood vessel in the body, but most commonly occurs in the aorta. In some cases the aneurysm may burst causing a rapid and often fatal compromise of the circulatory system.

Atherosclerosis In atherosclerosis, cholesterol carried in the blood builds up fatty deposits (plaques) in the artery lining over time. The resulting artery narrowing, called a stenosis, can cause increased blood pressure and eventually reduce blood flow through the affected blood vessel.

Edema Excessive build-up of fluid in the tissues which may result from fluid (plasma) leaking from the blood vessels.

Embolism A blood clot that travels from the site where it formed to another location in the body. Sometimes, a piece of atherosclerotic plaque (see atherosclerosis), small pieces of tumor, fat globules, air, or other materials can act in the same manner as a blood clot. Emboli (plural of embolism) can lodge in a blood vessel and block the flow of blood in that location.

Stroke	A group of brain disorders involving loss of brain functions that occur when the blood supply to any part of the brain is interrupted.
Heart Attack	a.k.a. myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to an area of the heart is decreased or cut off and the cells in the affected area of the heart muscle die from lack of oxygen
Aneurysm	The widening of an artery with an increase of greater than 1.5 times the normal diameter. A weakened wall of an artery is stretched as the blood is pumped through it, often creating an egg-shaped ballooning. An aneurysm can occur in any blood vessel in the body, but most commonly occurs in the aorta. In some cases the aneurysm may burst causing a rapid and often fatal compromise of the circulatory system.
Atherosclerosis	In atherosclerosis, cholesterol carried in the blood builds up fatty deposits (plaques) in the artery lining over time. The resulting artery narrowing, called a stenosis, can cause increased blood pressure and eventually reduce blood flow through the affected blood vessel.
Edema	Excessive build-up of fluid in the tissues which may result from fluid (plasma) leaking from the blood vessels.
Embolism	A blood clot that travels from the site where it formed to another location in the body. Sometimes, a piece of atherosclerotic plaque (see atherosclerosis), small pieces of tumor, fat globules, air, or other materials can act in the same manner as a blood clot. Emboli (plural of embolism) can lodge in a blood vessel and block the flow of blood in that location.