Hypertension terminology can get very confusing. This glossary of terms will help you talk to your doctor about your blood pressure.
Alpha blocker: A type of high blood pressure medication that limits the production of angiotensin, a substance that constricts arteries.
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor: S type of high blood pressure medication that prevents protein breakdowns that affect blood pressure.
Angiotensin-receptor blocker: A type of medication that prevents the substance angiotensin from working; angiotensin-receptor blockers usually have fewer side effects than ACE inhibitors.
Angiotensin-renin-aldosterone system: The system of hormones that affects blood pressure levels and management.
Asymptomatic: Without symptoms; many patients with high blood pressure have no symptoms.
Beta blocker: A type of blood pressure medication that lets blood vessels expand and slows the rate at which the heart pumps.
Blood pressure: The force applied to the arteries when the heart pumps blood.
Blurry vision: A worrisome symptom associated with elevated blood pressure for which a person should seek immediate medical attention.
Calcium channel blocker: A type of medication that helps blood vessels dilate and relax, improving blood pressure.
Cardiovascular disease: Disease of the heart and blood vessels.
Diastolic pressure: One of two numbers that measure blood pressure levels. The second, or bottom, number on the reading is called the diastolic pressure, which represents blood pressure when the heart isn't pumping.
Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet: A diet recommended for people with hypertension. People using DASH eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, low-fat protein, dairy, and low-sodium foods.
Diuretics: Also called fluid pills; medications that help eliminate sodium (salt) and water from the body, which helps lower blood pressure.
Dizziness: One of the symptoms that may develop when blood pressure is extremely high or if blood pressure increases rapidly.
Essential hypertension: Hypertension with no known cause; the most common type of high blood pressure.
Headache: One of the symptoms that, if it occurs with elevated blood pressure, requires immediate medical attention.
Heart attack (myocardial infarction): Interruption of blood flow and oxygen to part of the heart; risk of heart attack is greater in people with high blood pressure.
Heart disease (coronary artery disease): The condition a waxy substance called plaque blocks blood vessels.
High blood pressure: The condition in which abnormally strong pressure is exerted against artery walls and puts a strain on the heart.
Hypertension: The medical term for high blood pressure.
Hypotension: The medical term for low blood pressure.
Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH): A form of hypertension that occurs when the systolic pressure (the top or first number) is abnormally high.
Millimeters of mercury (mm Hg): Units of measurement for blood pressure.
Nausea: A worrisome symptom associated with high blood pressure for which immediate medical attention is required.
Nondipper hypertension: The form of hypertension in which blood pressure levels don't lower during sleep.
Preeclampsia: A type of high blood pressure, accompanied by swelling, that affects some women toward the end of pregnancy.
Secondary hypertension: Hypertension with a known cause.
Sodium: Another word for salt, a dietary danger for anyone with high blood pressure.
Sphygmomanometer: The medical device used to measure blood pressure.
Stroke: When blood flow to the brain is interrupted and damage or death of brain cells occurs. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke.
Systolic pressure: The first, or top, number on a blood pressure reading, which represents blood pressure in the arteries when the heart is hard at work.
Vasodilator: A medication used to treat high blood pressure by helping blood vessels to expand.
White coat hypertension: High blood pressure levels that only occur at the doctor's office and that are presumed to be caused by anxiety.
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