Hypertension Glossary

Anti-hypertensive  

Anything such as lifestyle change, medication or any other treatment that lowers high blood pressure.

Arteriosclerosis  

The thickening and hardening of the walls of the arteries due to fatty deposits on the inner linings of artery walls (atherosclerosis), calcification of the artery walls and thickening of the muscles of the artery walls because of chronic high blood pressure. 

Atherosclerosis  

The progressive thickening and hardening of the artery wall because of fat deposits. Atherosclerotic heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.

Blood pressure  

The pressure of blood flow inside the artery walls produced by the pumping action of the heart.  The pressure is measured by two numbers. The first, systolic pressure, is the measure of the blood flow as the heart beats or pumps out blood.  The second, diastolic pressure, is the measure of blood flow between heart beats.

Blood pressure monitor  

A device used to measure and/or record blood pressure.  A syphgmomanometer (the type usually used in the doctor’s office and hospitals comes in two types. One uses columns of mercury to measure pressure and the other uses a gauge with a dial face.  Digital readout monitors are also available with most models sold as home use blood pressure monitors.

Diastolic  

The pressure of the blood flow when the heart is at rest, between beats.

HBP   

Abbreviation for High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure  

Blood pressure reading of 140/90 or above.  (see hypertension)

Hypertension  

High blood pressure that is repeatedly elevated, having a pressure reading of 140 (systolic) over 90 (diastolic).

Hypertensive retinopathy  

Damage to the blood vessels in the retina, the area at the back of the eye, caused by hypertension.

Low blood pressure  

Hypotension, pressure is so low that not enough nutrients and oxygen are delivered to the vital organs.  When not enough oxygen reaches the brain, dizziness and fainting can occur.  Low blood pressure is defined more by syptoms than by a specific pressure reading.

Normal range  

While 120/80 was long considered the optimum blood pressure reading, it is now considered the upper limit of the normal range.

Prehypertensive  

Usually listed as readings between 120/80 as the upper limit of normal blood pressure and 139/89 as the cut off before you are considered to have hypertension.  The experts usually use ranges instead of definite cut off numbers because your physical condition, current health and predispositon to heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, etc. must also be considered when deciding if treatment is needed.

Pulse  

The contraction and expansion of the artery as blood is pumped through it by the beating of the heart.

Systolic  

Systolic pressure is the maximum pressure reading as the heart or more specifically  the left ventricle of the heart contracts forcing blood out to the body through the arteries.  It is the first or higher number.

Syphgmomanometer 

Instrument used to measure blood pressure (see blood pressure monitors).

White-coat hypertension  

High blood pressure brought on by feelings of anxiety at being in the doctors office or the hospital.  Does not necessarily mean you have hypertension. Usually readings must be checked and compared at subsequent visits for correct diagnosis.