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High blood pressure: a glossary of medical terms
WebMD explains the key medical terms used to diagnose and treat hypertension and its complications.
In brief
WebMD explains the key medical terms used to diagnose and treat hypertension and its complications. A medical glossary defines hypertension and the drugs, procedures, tests and conditions associated with diagnosing and managing high blood pressure. Originally reported by WebMD.
What hypertension means
Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. Essential hypertension, which accounts for ninety-five percent of high blood pressure cases, has no apparent cause but may be associated with obesity, smoking, and diet.
How blood pressure is measured
Blood pressure has two numbers.Systolic blood pressure is the top number, the highest force of blood against artery walls when the heart contracts.
ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure
ACE inhibitors are medications that prevent the body from making angiotensin II, a chemical that narrows blood vessels and raises blood pressure.
Beta-blockers reduce heart strain
Beta-blockers treat high blood pressure, chest pain, and irregular heartbeat by blocking the effects of adrenaline.
Calcium channel blockers relax arteries
Calcium channel blockers slow the movement of calcium into heart and artery cells. This relaxes the arteries, reduces pressure in blood vessels, and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood, lowering blood pressure.
Diuretics remove excess fluid
Diuretics act on the kidneys to remove excess salt and fluid from the blood. This increases urine flow and reduces the amount of water in the body, helping to lower blood pressure and treat high…
Tests measure heart function
An electrocardiogram measures the electrical activity, rate, and rhythm of the heartbeat.An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create an image of the heart and evaluate chamber size and valve function.
Imaging reveals blood vessel damage
A computed tomography scan uses X-rays to create cross-sectional images of body sections.Magnetic resonance imaging uses magnetic energy to create images, particularly useful for soft tissues.
Procedures restore blood flow
Cardiac catheterization inserts a small flexible tube into a large artery to measure pressure and blood flow in the heart.
Complications damage organs
A hypertensive emergency is a severe elevation in blood pressure that can lead to organ damage including brain damage, heart attack, heart failure, bleeding into the brain, kidney damage, and arterial bleeding.
Stroke and heart attack risks
A stroke is an interruption of blood supply to the brain, resulting in damaged brain tissue, caused by clots blocking blood flow or bleeding from a ruptured blood vessel.
Lifestyle changes help manage pressure
The DASH diet, which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, calls for a certain number of daily servings from various food groups, including more daily servings of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods to…
Secondary hypertension has a cause
Secondary hypertension is high blood pressure that is secondary to problems in another part of the body, such as the adrenals, kidneys, or aorta, unlike essential hypertension which has no apparent cause.
The essence
A medical glossary defines hypertension and the drugs, procedures, tests and conditions associated with diagnosing and managing high blood pressure.
