View All Hypertension Articles

Definitions provided by:
Hypertension Glossary

Terms used to explain Hypertension can sometimes be confusing. To help you fully understand the articles and features related to this very important health topic, we have compiled a glossary of terms that can help.

ACE Inhibitor

ACE inhibitor
Pronunciation: \ˈās-, ˌā-(ˌ)sē-ˈē-\


Function: noun
: any of a group of antihypertensive drugs (as captopril) that relax arteries and promote renal excretion of salt and water by inhibiting the activity of an angiotensin converting enzyme

Aldosterone

al*do*ste*rone
Pronunciation: \al-ˈdäs-tə-ˌrōn; ˌal-dō-ˈsti(ə)r-ˌōn, -stə-ˈrōn\


Function: noun
: a steroid hormone C21H28O5 of the adrenal cortex that functions in the regulation of the salt and water balance of the body

Atherosclerosis

ath*ero*scle*ro*sis

Pronunciation: \ˌath-ə-rō-sklə-ˈrō-səs\


Function: noun

pl -ro*ses

1: an arteriosclerosis characterized by atheromatous deposits in and fibrosis of the inner layer of the arteries

CAD

CAD
Function: abbreviation
coronary artery disease

Diuretic

1di*uret*ic
Pronunciation: \ˌdī-(y)ə-ˈret-ik\


Function: adjective
: tending to increase the excretion of urine

EKG

EKG
Pronunciation: \ˌē-ˌkā-ˈjē\


Function: noun

1: see: electrocardiogram
2: see: electrocardiograph

Epinephrine

epi*neph*rine
Function: noun
: a colorless crystalline feebly basic sympathomimetic hormone C9H13NO3 that is the principal blood-pressure-raising hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla, is prepared from adrenal extracts or made synthetically, and is used medicinally esp. as a heart stimulant, as a vasoconstrictor (as to treat open-angle glaucoma and life-threatening allergic reactions and to prolong the effects of local anesthetics), and as a bronchodilator —called also adrenaline

Heart Attack

heart attack
Function: noun
: an acute episode of heart disease marked by the death or damage of heart muscle due to insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle usu. as a result of a coronary thrombosis or a coronary occlusion and that is characterized esp. by chest pain —called also myocardial infarction, compare angina pectoris coronary insufficiency heart failure 1

Malignant Hypertension

malignant hypertension
Function: noun
: essential hypertension characterized by acute onset, severe symptoms, rapidly progressive course, and poor prognosis

Pulse Pressure

pulse pressure
Function: noun
: the pressure that is characteristic of the arterial pulse and represents the difference between diastolic and systolic blood pressures of the heart cycle

Secondary Hypertension

secondary hypertension
Function: noun
: hypertension that results from an underlying identifiable cause (as aldosteronism, thyroid dysfunction, or coarctation of the aorta)

Stenosis

ste*no*sis
Pronunciation: \stə-ˈnō-səs\


Function: noun
pl -no*ses
Pronunciation: \-ˌsēz\
: a narrowing or constriction of the diameter of a bodily passage or orifice <esophageal stenosis> see aortic stenosis mitral stenosis pulmonary stenosis spinal stenosis subaortic stenosis

Stroke

Pronunciation: \ˈstrōk\



Function: noun
1: sudden diminution or loss of consciousness, sensation, and voluntary motion caused by rupture or obstruction (as by a clot) of a blood vessel of the brain —called also apoplexy, brain attack, cerebral accident, cerebrovascular accident

Audio pronunciation for hear it again
Having trouble hearing a pronunciation?
Click here to listen with your default audio player.
© 2011 Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Inc.


Take a Personalized Health Test

How well are you controlling your symptoms?

Expert Advice from Harvard Medical School

Hypertension Features

Did You Know?

View Source

The amount of alcohol you drink has nothing to do with your blood pressure.

Hypertension Related Conditions


Health News Today

Feed