hypertension

noun

hy·​per·​ten·​sion ˌhī-pər-ˈten(t)-shən 

1

: abnormally high blood pressure and especially arterial blood pressure

2

: the systemic condition accompanying high blood pressure

Did you know?

You might have thought that hypertension was what a movie audience feels near the climax of a thriller, but you would have been wrong. High blood pressure—that is high pressure against the walls of your veins and arteries caused by blood flow—often occurs when the arteries or veins become blocked or narrowed, making the heart work harder to pump blood. But many cases seem to be the result of smoking or taking in too much salt, and many are genetically caused. Hypertension is serious, since it can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Though it often produces no warning symptoms, your blood pressure can be checked quickly and easily by a nurse. If it's high, it can usually be controlled by stopping smoking, losing weight, lowering your salt intake, and exercising—and if all else fails, by medication.

Examples of hypertension in a Sentence

He's being treated for hypertension.

Recent Examples on the Web

Another issue affecting women during a pregnancy are underlying health problems such as hypertension and diabetes, which are more likely to cause preterm births. —Kristal Dixon, Axios, 25 Nov. 2024

Despite the absence of symptoms, hypertension is a main contributing factor to heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney damage and other dangerous conditions. —Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 8 Nov. 2024

In addition to developmental and cardiovascular problems, low-level lead poisoning is associated with hypertension and chronic kidney failure in adults. —Zack Budryk, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024

The list of ailments shown to have been relieved by therapeutic fasting is long: rheumatism, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, angina, asthma, hypertension, skin diseases, kidney and gallbladder infections, periodontitis, glaucoma and migraines. —Bill Prince, theweek, 7 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

hyper- + tension entry 1, probably after French hypertension

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hypertension

• white coat hypertension

Kids Definition

hypertension

noun

hy·​per·​ten·​sion ˈhī-pər-ˌten-chən 

: high blood pressure

Medical Definition

hypertension

noun

hy·​per·​ten·​sion ˈhī-pər-ˌten-chən 

1

: abnormally high arterial blood pressure that is usually indicated by an adult systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or greater or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or greater, is chiefly of unknown cause but may be attributable to a preexisting condition (as a renal or endocrine disorder), that typically results in a thickening and inelasticity of arterial walls and hypertrophy of the left heart ventricle, and that is a risk factor for various pathological conditions or events (as heart attack, heart failure, stroke, end-stage renal disease, or retinal hemorrhage) see essential hypertension, secondary hypertension, white coat hypertension

2

: a systemic condition resulting from hypertension that is either symptomless or is accompanied especially by dizziness, palpitations, fainting, or headache