Glossary

An umbrella term used to cover any group of clinical symptoms compatible with acute myocardial ischaemia. Acute myocardial ischaemia is chest pain due to insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle that results from coronary heart disease. So acute coronary syndrome covers the spectrum of clinical conditions ranging from unstable angina to myocardial infarction.

The largest artery in the body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and extending down to the abdomen, where it branches off into two smaller arteries. The aorta distributes oxygenated blood to all parts of the body.

Describes tumours or growths that are not classed as ‘cancerous’, and tend to grow slowly and not spread.

An early form of cancer defined by the absence of invasion of surrounding tissues.

If your heart muscle goes without oxygen for a long enough period of time, the muscle cells are injured and later may die. When this happens, cells of the heart release proteins (enzymes) into the bloodstream. These enzymes can be detected with simple blood tests.

A disease that affects the heart muscle, producing heart abnormalities.

You must let us know if you feel unwell or develop medical symptoms, your occupation or role alters, you take up a new hobby or your financial circumstances alter between completion of the application form and the start date of the policy.

A doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating diseases of the heart.

A doctor who specialises in dealing with diseases of the nervous system.

A doctor who specialises in the study of rheumatic diseases which usually present with pain, stiffness, or swelling of muscles and joints.

A test that measures heart cell activity, heart rate and heart rhythm. It’s performed using a machine that reproduces the electrical activity of the heart onto graph paper. Electrodes (leads) are placed on the limbs and chest to measure the electrical activity from the heart. This will be affected during a heart attack, and will show on the graph paper.

A disease of the lungs characterised by the abnormal enlargement of the air spaces within the lungs.

Cancer that has spread beyond the layer of tissue in which it developed and is growing into surrounding, healthy tissues. Can also be called ‘infiltrating cancer’.

Describes a condition which can’t be reasonably improved upon by medical treatment and/or surgical procedures used by the National Health Service in the UK at the time of making a claim.

Describes a growth or tumour that is cancerous, can invade and destroy nearby tissue, and may spread (metastasise) to other parts of the body.

Information that would alter the terms that we would offer at application stage.

Surgery to divide the breastbone, often performed in order to reach the heart.

Failure to disclose relevant information on an application form in answer to specific questions.

Describes a growth or tumour that does not penetrate the skin, or any cavity or organ.

See Benign

Used when we’ve assessed your claim, and you haven’t met the criteria to agree a claim under the specific illness.

Describes a condition that is expected to last throughout the life assured’s life, irrespective of when the cover ends or the life assured retires.

Symptoms of dysfunction in the nervous system that are present on clinical examination and expected to last throughout the life assured’s lifetime. Symptoms that are covered include numbness, hyperaesthesia, paralysis, localised weakness, difficulty with speech, inability to speak, difficulty in swallowing, visual impairment, difficulty in walking, lack of co-ordination, tremor, seizures, lethargy, dementia, delirium and coma.

Describes a condition that may (or is likely to) become cancer.

A tube positioned across an artery that has narrowed. It gently expands to allow blood to flow freely.

Causes symptoms similar to a stroke - but symptoms last less than 24 hours. Often abbreviated to ‘TIA’.

Damage or harm caused to the structure or function of the body by an outside agent or force, which may be physical or chemical.

Proteins found only in heart muscle tissue, which are released into the blood stream when the heart muscle is damaged. They’re measured to determine whether or not a myocardial infarction (heart attack) has occurred.