Glossary

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.



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.



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.



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.



diabetes	A chronic disorder in which the body is not able to manufacture or utilize insulin properly.



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.



ischemia	Deficiency of blood supply to the heart due to obstruction or constriction of the coronary arteries; often associated with chest pain.



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.



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.



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.



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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