| cardiac invalidism | A psychological state that can result after a myocardial infarction or diagnosis of coronary heart disease, consisting of the perception that a patient’s abilities and capacities are lower than they actually are; both patients and their spouses are vulnerable to these misperceptions.
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| cardiac rehabilitation | An intervention program designed to help heart patients achieve their optimal physical, medical, psychological, social, emotional, vocational, and economic status after the diagnosis of heart disease or a heart attack.
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| cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) | A method of reviving the functioning of heart and lungs after a loss of consciousness in which the patient’s pulse has ceased or lungs have failed to function appropriately.
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| coronary heart disease (CHD) | A general term referring to illnesses caused by atherosclerosis, which is the narrowing of the coronary arteries, the vessels that supply the heart with blood.
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| diabetes | A chronic disorder in which the body is not able to manufacture or utilize insulin properly.
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| hypertension | Excessively high blood pressure that occurs when the supply of blood through the blood vessels is excessive, putting pressure on the vessel walls; a risk factor for a variety of medical problems, including coronary artery disease.
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| ischemia | Deficiency of blood supply to the heart due to obstruction or constriction of the coronary arteries; often associated with chest pain.
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| John Henryism | A personality predisposition to cope actively with psychosocial stressors; may become lethal when those active coping efforts are unsuccessful; the syndrome has been especially documented among lower income Blacks at risk for or suffering from hypertension.
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| metabolic syndrome | Metabolic syndrome is a pattern of risk factors for the chronic health problems of diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension, characterized by obesity, a high waist to hip ratio, and insulin resistance. Metabolic syndrome is exacerbated by inactivity, overeating, age, and hostility.
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| stroke | A condition that results from a disturbance in blood flow to the brain, often marked by resulting physical or cognitive impairments and, in the extreme, death.
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| Type A behavior syndrome | A behavioral and emotional style marked by an aggressive, unceasing struggle to achieve more and more in less time, often in hostile competition with other individuals or forces; a risk factor for coronary artery disease. Hostility appears to be especially implicated as the risk factor.
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