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Glossary
Cardiovascular disease:
A classification which encompasses a number
of different problems of the heart and circulatory system
such as coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart
failure, peripheral vascular disease, congenital heart
disease, and many other conditions.
Myocardial infarction:
Also called a heart attack; occurs when one
or more regions of the heart muscle experience a severe or
prolonged decrease in oxygen supply caused by an occlusion
of the coronary blood vessels. The surrounding heart muscle
is damaged and may not work effectively.
Phase 3 cardiac rehabilitation:
Structured exercise programme, lasting an
average of 11 weeks, delivered either in a hospital,
community or home setting.
Primary care treatments:
Medical care or services received on first
contact with the medical system (before being referred
elsewhere) and typically provided by a general medical
practitioner, a community nurse, midwife or health
visitor.
Primary prevention:
Any intervention targeted at people without
clinical evidence of a disease to prevent it
developing.
Revascularisation:
A broad term that describes surgical and
catheter procedures that are used to improve blood flow to
the heart. Includes percutaneous transluminal coronary
angioplasty (
PTCA), with or without stenting, and
coronary artery bypass grafting (
CABG) surgery.
Secondary care treatments:
Specialist care or services, typically
provided in a hospital setting following an emergency
admission or referral from a primary or community health
professional.
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