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Hypertension Glossary

Abnormal heart beat (arrhythmia)- An irregular heart beat.

Angina- A common symptom of heart disease that is characterized by chest pain.

Artery- Muscular elastic tubes that carry blood away from the heart to the cells, tissues, and organs of the body.

Blood pressure- The force of blood against artery walls.

Body Mass Index- A tool that uses weight and height to estimate total body fat (BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight (in kilograms) by his or her height (in meters, squared). BMI can also be calculated by multiplying weight (in pounds) by 705, then dividing by height (in inches) twice.

Coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis)- A disease characterized by hardening of the arteries.

Diastolic blood pressure measurement- The pressure of blood against artery walls between heartbeats when the heart is relaxed and filling with blood. The second or bottom number in a blood pressure reading.

Echocardiogram (often called “echo”)- A graphic outline of the heart’s movement. During this test, high-frequency sound waves (called ultrasound) provide pictures of the heart's valves and chambers. This allows the echo technician, called a sonographer, to evaluate the pumping action of the heart.

Electrocardiogram (also called EKG or ECG)- A test that records the electrical activity of the heart.

Electrolytes- Minerals found naturally in the body which are needed to keep the body's balance of fluids at a healthy level and to maintain normal functions, such as heart rhythm, muscle contraction, and brain function. Electrolytes include potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium.

Heart attack (myocardial infarction)- Permanent damage to the heart muscle, usually caused by a blood clot in the coronary artery and characterized by severe chest pain.

Heart failure- A condition in which the heart does not pump enough blood for the body.

High blood pressure (hypertension)- A disease in which chronic high blood pressure is the primary symptom (over 140/ over 80 mmHg).

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)- Hardening and narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) that supply blood to the arms, legs, and other parts of the body. PVD causes reduced blood flow to those parts of the body.

Potassium- An important electrolyte in the body that helps regulate the water balance (the amount of fluid inside and surrounding the cells) and electrolyte balance of the body. Potassium is important for proper heart function.

Prehypertension- A new risk category defined by blood pressure levels of 120-139 / 80-89mmHg.

Primary (essential) hypertension- Most common form of hypertension.

Sleep apnea- A temporary suspension of breathing occurring repeatedly during sleep that often affects overweight people or those having an obstruction in the breathing tract, an abnormally small throat opening, or a neurological disorder.

Sodium- An important electrolyte in the body that helps regulate the water balance (the amount of fluid inside and surrounding the cells) and electrolyte balance of the body. Sodium is also important in proper nerve and muscle functions.

Stroke- Sudden loss of brain function caused by a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel to the brain. It is characterized by loss of muscular control, diminution or loss of sensation or consciousness, dizziness, slurred speech, or other symptoms that vary with the extent and severity of the damage to the brain.

Systolic blood pressure measurement- The pressure of blood against artery walls when the heart has just finished pumping (contracting). The first or top number in a blood pressure reading.

White-coat hypertension- Elevated blood pressure caused by anxiety or fear of being in a hospital or doctor’s office.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitor- A device that periodically inflates and takes blood pressure measurements which are recorded for later printout and analysis

Heart disease- Any condition affecting the structures or functions of the heart.

Kidney failure (renal failure)- A condition in which the kidneys do not function properly, and waste products and excess water build up in the body.

Retinopathy- A complication of hypertension in which the light-senstive linking of the back of the eye (retina) is damaged. Blindness and partial vision loss may result.

Cholesterol- A fat-like substance that helps bodily functions such as building new cells, producing hormones, and digestion.

Diabetes- A disorder of the metabolism in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin or the body does not respond to the insulin produced.

Stage 1 (mild) hypertension- A condition with systolic blood pressure measurement of 140-159 mmHg and diastolic measurement of 90-99 mmHg.

Stage 2 hypertension- A condition with systolic blood pressure measurement of 160-179mmHg and diastolic measurement of 100-109 mmHg.

Stage 3 hypertension- A condition with systolic blood pressure measurement of 180 mmHg or higher and diastolic measurement of 110 mmHg.

Beta-blockers- A medicine used to treat hypertension that decreases the heart rate and the amount of blood the heart pumps with each beat.

ACE (Angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors- A medicine that blocks an enzyme needed to form a substance that narrows blood vessels. The medicine causes the vessels to relax and widen, making it easier for blood to flow through and thereby lowers blood pressure.

Diuretic- A medicine that lowers blood pressure by helping the body to get rid of excess water and salt.