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Hypertension Glossary

The Johns Hopkins White Papers: Hypertension and StrokeContent provided by Cleveland Clinic

Angina: chest pain
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: one kind of medicine used to treat hypertension by preventing the body from making the hormone angiotensin II This hormone causes blood vessels to narrow, which can raise blood pressure. ACE inhibitors allow the vessels to expand and allow more blood to flow to the heart, which lowers blood pressure. These medicines are also used to treat congestive heart failure, to protect the kidneys in people with diabetes, and to treat people who have had a heart attack. They might also be used to help prevent heart attacks and strokes in high-risk individuals.
Atherosclerosis: the build-up of fatty deposits within the arteries, eventually causing a blockage of blood flow or stiffening of the artery walls
Balloon angioplasty:a procedure during which a small balloon at the tip of the catheter (see cardiac catheterization) is inflated while in an artery to stretch a narrowed artery open and increase blood flow
Beta blockers: one kind of medicine used to treat hypertension, chest pain, and irregular heartbeat, and to help prevent future heart attacks Beta blockers work by blocking the effects of adrenaline in various parts of the body. They work on the heart to relieve stress to the heart so that it requires less blood and oxygen. The heart doesn't have to work as hard, which lowers blood pressure. Beta blockers work on blood vessels to relax the vessel walls and lower blood pressure.
Calcium channel blockers: one kind of hypertension medicine that slows the movement of calcium into the cells of the heart and the walls of the arteries (blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the tissues) This relaxes the arteries and reduces the pressure in the blood vessels.
Cardiac catheterization: a procedure during which a catheter (a small flexible tube) is inserted into an artery and guided to the arteries in the heart to determine pressure and blood flow in the heart
Carotid artery: an artery on the neck that supplies blood to the brain
Carotid endarterectomy: the surgical removal of plaque within the carotid artery
Computed tomography (CT) scan: a test during which an X-ray beam rotates around the patient, and detectors measure the amount of X-rays that go through the patient A computer constructs a cross-sectional image of the data.
Congestive heart failure: the inability of the heart to adequately pump blood This can be caused by a number of factors, including untreated hypertension, heart attacks, or infections.
Corticosteroids: natural hormones, or a group of drugs that are similar to the natural hormones produced by the adrenal glands There are two main types: glucocorticoids, which have anti-inflammatory effects, and mineralocorticoids, which are necessary for salt and water balance.
Cyclosporine: a drug that organ transplant patients take to suppress the immune system in order to prevent their bodies from rejecting the transplant
DASH diet: The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension(DASH) diet The DASH diet calls for a certain number of servings daily from various food groups, including more daily servings of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods.
Diastolic blood pressure: the lowest pressure of blood against the walls of the arteries when the heart relaxes between beats
Diuretics: one kind of medicine used to treat hypertension Diuretics act on the kidneys to remove excess salt from the blood. This increases the flow of urine and the need to urinate, which reduces the amount of water in the body. This helps lower blood pressure.
Echocardiogram: a test that uses a device to bounce sound waves off the heart to create an image of the heart The image details the blood flow in the heart's chambers.
Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): a diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity, rate, and rhythm of the heartbeat via electrodes attached to the arms, legs, and chest
Essential hypertension: high blood pressure that does not have an apparent cause The vast majority (95 percent) of high blood pressure is essential hypertension.
Exercise stress test: a test during which electrocardiogram readings are taken while the patient exercises (on a treadmill or stationary bicycle) to increase heart rate to a predetermined point
Erythropoietin: a hormone that stimulates production of red blood cells and is used to treat anemia caused by chronic diseases
Heart attack: damage to the heart muscle caused by loss of blood flow to the heart
Hypertension: high blood pressure
Hypertensive emergency: a severe elevation in blood pressure that can lead to organ damage, including encephalopathy (brain damage), heart attack, heart failure, hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain), eclampsia (a condition in which pregnant women have water retention, hypertension, protein in the urine, and seizures), and arterial bleeding
Hypertensive retinopathy: damage to the blood vessels in the retina (the area at the back of the eye that contains the cells that are sensitive to light) caused by hypertension
Hypertensive urgency: a form of hypertensive crisis, a spectrum of situations that includes high blood pressure and progressive or impending organ damage caused by high blood pressure
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a condition in which the heart muscle becomes enlarged and is unable to function properly The heart muscle becomes too thick to function as it should. This thickening might reduce the size of the heart chambers, keep the heart valves from working properly, or might block the flow of blood out of the heart.
Ischemic heart disease: a condition caused by a decrease in blood flow to the heart This decrease is usually the result of narrowed coronary arteries, which impede the blood flow.
Kidney failure (end-stage renal disease): a condition in which the kidney cannot filter and excrete waste products
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): a medical test that uses magnets to study images of the body As in a CT, a computer constructs an image of the body from the magnetic information. This test is particularly useful to study soft tissues (such as organs in the body).

Magnetic resonance arteriography (MRA):one type of MRI test that provides detailed pictures of blood vessels and can reveal where arteries might be narrowed or where blood flow is blocked

Potassium: an electrolyte that is used to make energy for all muscles, including heart muscles
Proteinuria: the presence of protein in the urine This might indicate kidney disease or damage.
Secondary hypertension: high blood pressure that is caused by conditions such as alcohol or drug abuse, pregnancy, kidney disorders, or taking certain medicines
Sphygmomanometer: a device that is used to measure blood pressure The sphygmomanometer consists of an arm cuff, dial, pump, and valve.
Stent: a metal device that is used to hold tissue in place A stent can keep blood vessels open after a surgical procedure or heart catheterization.
Stroke: an interruption of the blood supply in the brain, resulting in damaged brain tissue An interruption can be caused by clots that block blood flow, or by bleeding in the brain from a ruptured blood vessel or a significant injury.
Systolic blood pressure: the highest force of blood against the walls of the artery when the heart contracts or squeezes blood into the blood vessels
TIA (transient ischemic attack): a "mini-stroke," or a warning of an impending stroke A TIA takes place when blood flow to part of the brain is briefly interrupted.
TPA: a thrombolytic agent, or "clot buster" medicine TPA might be used as treatment for acute ischemic stroke (stroke of sudden onset, caused by a clot blocking blood flow to part of the brain).
Ultrasound: a test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of body organs and systems