acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) – commonly known as aspirin.

acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) – a blockage caused by the formation of a blood clot in one or more of the blood vessels to the heart. Damage to the heart muscle results, due to the lack of blood flow.

aneurysm – an enlargement and thinning of the wall of a blood vessel, which can result in a sudden rupture.

angina – temporary discomfort or pain in the chest when the heart does not receive enough blood, due to narrowing in the blood vessel to the coronary artery. Angina usually occurs when the heart is working harder than usual, for example, during exercise or when a person is under stress. It can cause temporary discomfort, in the form of a dull ache, a feeling of pressure, squeezing or heaviness in the chest. This pain or discomfort may move down the arms, up the neck and jaw, or into the back.

angiogram – a test that uses dye injected into the bloodstream and x-ray images to see the inside of the arteries and determine if there are any blocked or damaged arteries. A cardiac angiogram involves inserting a catheter, usually in the arm or groin area, and then guiding it into one of the arteries of the heart, to see how blood flows through the heart.

angioplasty – also called "percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty" (PTCA). This procedure involves inserting a catheter into a blocked coronary artery. A narrow balloon is then inflated inside the artery, to widen the artery.

anticoagulants – a family of medications that thin the blood and prevent the formation of clots in the blood. Anticoagulants can also dissolve clots that previously blocked blood flow in the coronary arteries.

antihypertensives – a family of medications used to treat high blood pressure.

arrhythmia – a generic term that refers to a change in the rate or rhythm of the heart. This change may be a slowing of heartbeats, a rapid beating, a brief pause of the heartbeat, or irregular heartbeats.

atherosclerosis – a condition that results from the gradual build-up of fatty substances, including cholesterol, on the walls of the arteries. This build-up, called plaque, reduces the blood flow to the heart, brain and other tissues, and can progress to cause a heart attack or stroke. This process is also referred to as hardening of the arteries.

beta blockers – a type of medication used to block the stimulation of beta-receptors in the heart by the central nervous system. This therapy is used to lower a person's blood pressure and heart rate and to treat angina.

blood pressure – the pressure of the blood on the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. A blood pressure reading is usually given as two numbers because there are two measurements of blood pressure. "Diastolic" pressure (the bottom number) represents the pressure in the arterial system when the heart is momentarily relaxed between beats. "Systolic" pressure (the top number) is the force with which each pulse of blood presses against the arterial walls as the heart pumps blood out.

calcium channel blockers – a class of medications that slows the flow of calcium to the lining of the coronary arteries. This medication enhances blood flow and decreases blood pressure. Some calcium channel blockers also decrease heart rate.

cardiac arrest – the sudden stopping of the heart's pumping action.

cardiac rehabilitation – a program recommended for patients who have had a heart attack, angina, congestive heart failure, or other forms of heart disease and those who have undergone heart surgery. A cardiac rehabilitation program includes counselling and information about the patient's condition; a supervised exercise program; programs to modify lifestyle and risk factors, such as smoking cessation programs, information on nutrition and controlling high blood pressure; and emotional and social support.

cardiovascular disease – the group of diseases that affect the heart and the blood vessels throughout the body.

cerebrovascular – relating to the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain.

cholesterol – a fatty substance that occurs naturally in the body and is necessary for hormone production, cell metabolism and other vital processes. High levels of blood cholesterol are a contributing factor to coronary heart disease. There are two types of cholesterol: low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). LDL, sometimes called "bad cholesterol," can adhere to the walls of the coronary arteries. This process is called atherosclerosis. HDL cholesterol, sometimes called "good cholesterol," can act as a protective guard by removing LDLs from the walls of blood vessels.

congestive heart failure – damage and weakness in the heart muscle resulting in the heart's inability to pump blood. There are many causes of congestive heart failure.

coronary arteries – the blood vessels that supply the heart with blood.

coronary artery disease – a condition where the coronary arteries are narrowed due to blockages. This is called coronary heart disease when it affects the heart.

C-reactive protein – a substance in the blood that signals acute inflammation. A blood test is used to measure C-reactive protein. A high-sensitivity C-reactive protein test can be used to help determine a person’s risk for heart disease.

diabetes – the inability of the body to produce or respond to insulin, which allows the body to use glucose/sugar properly. The two major forms of the chronic disease are juvenile (type 1) and adult-onset (type 2) diabetes. Diabetes that first develops when a woman is pregnant and usually ends following the birth is called gestational diabetes. Diabetics have an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease and stroke.

dietary cholesterol – cholesterol that comes from animal products in the diet, such as butter, meat, egg yolks and dairy products. Excess amounts can contribute to the build-up of plaque on the walls of the arteries, and can lead to atherosclerosis.

electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) – a diagnostic test that assesses the pattern of electrical activity of the heart. This electric activity stimulates the heart's contractions.

estrogen therapy – either a natural or synthetic form of the hormone estrogen, taken alone or with progesterone, usually after menopause. Estrogen therapy can be taken in the form of a pill, cream or vaginal ring.

hemorrhagic stroke – a stroke that may be caused by early structural malformations in the brain, such as an aneurysm, or by the rupture of small arteries which have been damaged by chronically high blood pressure. Hemorrhagic strokes account for approximately 20 percent of all strokes.

high-density lipoprotein (HDL) – referred to as the "good" cholesterol. Responsible for carrying excess cholesterol out of the blood vessels and to the liver for processing. Lack of physical activity and excessive amounts of trans fats in the diet can lower HDL levels.

hormone therapy – a therapy of synthetic or naturally occurring estrogen with or without a progestin. The addition of progestin is necessary for women with an intact uterus to prevent endometrial cancer. Hormone therapy (HT) is used mainly to relieve the symptoms of menopause. It is also sometimes used to slow bone loss and treat osteoporosis.

hydrogention – a way to "harden" liquid oil, to make it spreadable at room temperature. The process creates saturated and trans fats, which raise blood cholesterol.

hypertension – also called high blood pressure. Blood pressure is a measure of how hard the blood pushes against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. It is normal for a person’s blood pressure to rise and fall but when it is chronically high, a person has hypertension.

ischemic stroke – a stroke that occurs when a blood clot forms, usually in the heart or neck arteries, and blocks the passage of blood to part of the brain. This type of stroke accounts for approximately 80 percent of all strokes.

low-density lipoprotein (LDL) – referred to as the "bad" cholesterol because it tends to accumulate on the artery walls, eventually leading to atherosclerosis. Eating too much saturated fat or trans fats can elevate LDL blood cholesterol levels.

milk fat (MF) – the amount of fat in dairy products, expressed as a percentage based on weight. (Also called butter fat, BF).

monounsaturated fats – fats that can help lower blood cholesterol levels. Foods high in monounsaturated fats include olive and canola oil, nuts, seeds and avocados.

omega-3 fats – a type of essential polyunsaturated fat commonly found in vegetable oils (such as canola and soybean oil), fish (such as salmon, herring, mackerel, trout) and flaxseeds. They help lower blood triglycerides.

peripheral vascular disease – the narrowing or blockage of blood vessels in the limbs.

polyunsaturated fats – may help lower blood cholesterol. They contain essential fats that cannot be manufactured in the body, and are found mainly in vegetable oils, such as safflower, sunflower, corn and soybean oil. Fish and nuts are also good sources of polyunsaturated fats.

saturated fats – found mostly in animal products, like meat, lard, poultry skin, whole milk or full-fat dairy products like butter. Saturated fats are also found in certain types of processed foods that contain hydrogenated fats. Saturated fats can raise blood cholesterol levels.

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) – a class of drugs used to treat depression, for example, fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil) and fluvoxamine (Luvox). These medications seem to have fewer side effects and may be more effective for women than many of the older antidepressants. The SSRIs have not been associated with an increased risk of heart disease.

stroke – occurs when blood vessels in the brain either become clogged or burst, killing vital tissue. Can result in temporary or permanent disabilities, including paralysis and a variety of sensory impairments.

tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) – a "clot-busting" drug used to treat heart attacks and certain types of stroke.

trans fatty acids – found in many processed foods that contain partially hydrogenated fats, vegetable oil or shortening. Trans fatty acids occur naturally in smaller quantities in animal fats. They have been shown to raise blood cholesterol levels.

triglycerides – fats that circulate in the bloodstream. High levels often appear with other well-known risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood cholesterol and diabetes. High levels of triglycerides are associated with a greater risk of heart disease in women.

tricyclic antidepressants – an older class of drugs used to treat depression. Examples include amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil) and desipramine (Norpramine). These medications may have more side effects than newer antidepressants (see SSRIs), but have advantages for some people. They can also relieve chronic pain. These drugs can increase a person's risk of heart attack.