| unsaturated fat | <biochemistry> A fat that contains a carbon-carbon double bond, or a fat containing unsaturated fatty acids, such a fatty acid has double or triple covalent bonds and is thus able to add more atoms. Unsaturated fats are believed to lower blood cholesterol levels and are found at high levels in vegetable oils (olive oil, safflower oil, etc.) As a general rule, unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| low-fat diet | A diet containing minimal amounts of fat.Diets containing low amounts of fat and cholesterol are designed to reduce the risk of heart disease and, in some cases, cancer. Dozens of such diets have been promulgated, both by medical and lay advisors. Their popularity can be attributed in part to clinical studies that have, since the 1980s, revealed, on the one hand, the hazards of eating high-fat, high-cholesterol foods and, on the other, the benefits of ingesting less saturated fat and LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol. Although coronary deaths have been reduced by roughly 30% since 1970, the aim of health officials is to further reduce heart attack rates. The average cholesterol level among adult Americans has fallen from 213 to 205 mg/dl since 1978. However, the National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that individuals maintain a total cholesterol level of no more than 200 mg/dl, with LDL at less than 130 mg/dl and HDL (high density lipoprotein) around 60 mg/dl. About one-half of American adults exceed those recommendations. Low-fat, low-cholesterol diets are rich in whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and legumes, and limit or exclude consumption of processed oils, dairy products, nuts and seeds, and meats. See atherosclerosis, free radicals. (05 Mar 2000) |
| abdominal pulse | The soft, compressible aortic pulse occurring in certain abdominal disorders. Synonym: pulsus abdominalis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alternating pulse | Mechanical alternation, a pulse regular in time but with alternate beats stronger and weaker, often detectable only with the sphygmomanometer and usually indicating serious myocardial disease. Synonym: pulsus alternans. (05 Mar 2000) |
| amplitude of pulse | See: average pulse magnitude, peak magnitude. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anacrotic pulse | A pulse wave showing one or more notches or indentations on its rising limb that are sometimes detectable by palpation. Synonym: pulsus anadicrotus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| asynchronous pulse generator | A generator in which the rate of discharge is independent of the natural activity of the heart. Synonym: fixed rate pulse generator. (05 Mar 2000) |
| atrial synchronous pulse generator | A ventricular stimulating pulse whose rate of discharge is directly determined by the atrial rate. Synonym: atrial triggered pulse generator. (05 Mar 2000) |
| atrial triggered pulse generator | A ventricular stimulating pulse whose rate of discharge is directly determined by the atrial rate. Synonym: atrial triggered pulse generator. (05 Mar 2000) |
| average pulse magnitude | <physics> The amplitude of pulse averaged throughout its duration; identical with peak amplitude for a square wave or pulse without droop. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bigeminal pulse | A pulse in which the beats occur in pairs. Synonym: bigemina, coupled pulse, pulsus bigeminus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bisferious pulse | An arterial pulse with peaks that may be palpable. Synonym: pulsus bisferiens. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bulbar pulse | A jugular pulse supposed to indicate tricuspid insufficiency. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cannonball pulse | <radiology> Corrigan's sign: increased pulse at wrist, aortic insufficiency, widened pulse pressure due to increased stroke volume, diastolic regurgitation (12 Dec 1998) |
| capillary pulse | The alternate rhythmical blanching and reddening of a capillary area, as seen under the nails or in the lip, upon gentle compression; a sign of arteriolar dilation, well seen in aortic insufficiency. (05 Mar 2000) |