The gold standard for evaluating and defining coronary artery disease. A small catheter is inserted through the skin into an artery in the groin or arm and then advanced using a fluoroscope (special x-ray viewing instrument) to the opening of the coronary arteries where a small amount of radiographic contrast is injected. Angiography identifies the exact location and severity of coronary artery disease.

Diseases characterized by thickening and loss of elasticity of the arterial walls.

A type of arteriosclerosis in which fatty material is deposited along the walls of arteries. Over time this fatty material thickens, hardens and may eventually block the arteries.

An abnormal growth of cells which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled way and, in some cases, to metastasize (spread).

CEA is a protein found in many types of cells but associated with tumors.

CVD includes all diseases of the circulatory system, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke and diseases of the arteries.

CIMT, measured by B-mode ultrasound, measures the thickness of the first two inner layers of the carotid artery wall. CIMT is an independent predictor of heart attack and stroke.

A procedure in which a long, flexible viewing tube (a colonoscope) is threaded through the rectum for the purpose of inspecting the entire colon and rectum and, if there is an abnormality, taking a biopsy of it or removing it.

A CT scan is an x-ray procedure that uses the help of a computer to produce a detailed picture of a cross-section of the body.

CAD is a narrowing of the coronary arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart muscle.

Calcium deposits, which lead to plaque build-up, in the coronary arteries.

CRP is a protein in the blood that increases with inflammation from certain conditions.

DCBE is a series of x-rays of the colon and rectum taken after the patient is given an enema, followed by an injection of air. The barium outlines the intestines on the x-rays, allowing many abnormal growths to be visible.

FOBT is a test to check for hidden blood in the feces. Fecal occult blood may be due to a number of causes. The source of the bleeding may be anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract.

Framingham is a landmark study begun in 1948 in which 12,000 residents of the town of Framingham, MA were enrolled in a study designed to gather medical data. Through this study, major risk factors for heart disease were identified, including blood cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes.

The study of genes and their function.

An aminco acid that is produced by the body, usually as a byproduct of consuming meat. Elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood appear to be associated with elevated risk of cardiovascular disease.

An x-ray of the breast with the breast in a device that compresses and flattens it.

NAF, which contains proteins, is secreted in the mammary ducts of the breast. Most breast cancers originate in the mammary ducts.

A mass of tissue that develops on the inside wall of a hollow organ, as within the colon or rectum. Polyps may be benign, pre-malignant or malignant.

PET is a highly specialized imaging technique that uses short-lived radioactive substances to produce three-dimensional colored images of those substances functioning within the body.

Inspection of the rectum and lower colon using a thin lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope.

An instrument for measuring the relative intensities of light in different parts of a spectrum.

The examination of sputum under a microscope. If a tumor is centrally located and has invaded the airways, this procedure may allow visualization of tumor cells for diagnosis.

A family of fat-like compounds that includes cholesterol.

A test that detects ischemia, or lack of blood flow to the heart muscle.