By Dr. Marc Krock, Board-Certified Interventional Cardiologist
Cardiology has its own language — and when your doctor starts talking about things like stents, AFib, or heart failure, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But understanding the terms we use in the exam room can help you feel more confident, informed, and in control.
In this guide, I’m breaking down some of the most common heart health terms so you can walk into your next appointment feeling empowered — not confused.
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
What it is: A common heart rhythm disorder where the upper chambers of the heart beat irregularly and out of sync with the lower chambers.
Why it matters: AFib can raise your risk of stroke, fatigue, and long-term heart failure.
What you might feel: Heart racing, fluttering, dizziness, fatigue — or nothing at all.
How we treat it: Blood thinners (to prevent stroke), medications to control rate or rhythm, and sometimes procedures like cardioversion or catheter ablation.
📍 Learn more: Living with AFib blog
Heart Failure
What it is: A condition where the heart doesn’t pump blood as effectively as it should.
Why it matters: It doesn’t mean your heart has stopped — it means it’s struggling to meet your body’s needs.
What you might feel: Fatigue, swelling, shortness of breath — especially with exertion or lying flat.
How we treat it: Medications, lifestyle changes, and in advanced cases, specialized therapies or devices.
Stent vs. Bypass
Stent (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention):
A small metal mesh tube placed in a coronary artery to hold it open after a blockage is cleared with a balloon.
✅ Minimally invasive
✅ Often used for one or two blockages
✅ Usually done via wrist or groin artery
Bypass Surgery (CABG):
A surgical procedure where blood vessels from other parts of your body are used to reroute blood around blocked arteries.
✅ Better for multiple or complex blockages
✅ Requires open-heart surgery
✅ Longer recovery, but may offer better long-term results for some patients
Heart Attack vs. Cardiac Arrest
Heart Attack: A blockage in a coronary artery cuts off blood flow to part of the heart muscle.
- The heart keeps beating, but tissue starts to die.
- Symptoms: Chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating.
- Emergency — call 911.
Cardiac Arrest: The heart stops beating altogether — often due to a rhythm issue like ventricular fibrillation.
- Requires CPR and defibrillation immediately.
- Often fatal if not treated within minutes.
Learn more: Heart Attack vs. Cardiac Arrest blog
Stroke
What it is: A blockage or bleed in the brain’s blood vessels that cuts off oxygen to part of the brain.
Why it’s connected: AFib is a leading cause of stroke because clots can form in the heart and travel to the brain.
Warning signs: Sudden numbness, confusion, trouble speaking, vision changes, or difficulty walking.
🕐 Time is brain. Stroke is a medical emergency.
Cholesterol
What it is: A waxy substance found in your blood. Some cholesterol is necessary — but too much of the wrong type can build up in arteries.
Types to know:
- LDL: “Bad” cholesterol that contributes to plaque buildup
- HDL: “Good” cholesterol that helps remove LDL
- Lp(a): A genetic form of cholesterol that can raise heart disease risk
Pro tip: Ask your doctor if you should be tested for advanced markers like Lp(a), ApoB, and small dense LDL.
Calcium Score
What it is: A CT scan that detects calcium deposits in the arteries.
Why it matters: A higher score means more plaque buildup — and a higher risk of future heart events.
Who should get one: Adults over 40 with risk factors, especially if you’re not sure about starting a statin.
CIMT (Carotid Intima-Media Thickness)
What it is: A non-invasive ultrasound that measures the thickness of the carotid artery walls in your neck.
Why it matters: It detects early artery changes before a blockage forms — useful for prevention.
📍 Often paired with calcium scoring and cholesterol panels for a full risk picture.
Heart Rate vs. Heart Rhythm
Heart Rate:
The number of times your heart beats per minute.
📍 Example: 72 bpm is a normal resting heart rate.
Heart Rhythm:
The pattern and timing of your heartbeats.
📍 Example: Evenly spaced beats = normal sinus rhythm.
📍 Irregularly spaced = could be AFib or another arrhythmia.
🩺 You can have a normal rate with an abnormal rhythm — and vice versa. That’s why rhythm monitoring matters.
Takeaway
You don’t have to become a cardiologist to understand your heart. But when you know the basics, you can ask smarter questions, catch issues earlier, and feel more in control of your health.
Dr. Marc Krock and his team are here to help you understand what your heart is telling you — and what to do about it.
Have a question about one of these terms? Ask it at your next visit — or check out Dr. Krock’s YouTube channel for more patient-friendly cardiology education.
Links: Follow Dr Krock on Instagram
