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

This damage can result in coronary heart disease, hypertension, heart attack, stroke, aneurysms and peripheral artery disease. —Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025

Conditions like hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and mobility issues— all closely linked to diet— are widespread. —Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025

On the physical side, studies have linked sleeplessness to hypertension, heart disease, and some metabolic disorders. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 7 Mar. 2025

This helps check for common complications such as pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs' arteries). —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 1 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for hypertension

• apprehension
• comprehension
• condescension
• hypotension
• reinvention
• reprehension
• resuspension
• attention
• contention
• convention
• declension
• detention

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