blood pressure

noun

: pressure that is exerted by the blood upon the walls of the blood vessels and especially arteries and that varies with the muscular efficiency of the heart, the blood volume and viscosity, the age and health of the individual, and the state of the vascular wall

Examples of blood pressure in a Sentence

The doctor says he has high blood pressure.

These drugs help lower blood pressure.

She has a blood pressure of 120.

Recent Examples on the Web

Though fares tend to be on the pricier side, taking a taxi will save the hassle of navigating the island's twisting mountain highways and narrow valley passes, which are sure to send your blood pressure soaring. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2024

In severe cases, a soy allergy can cause anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction that hinders breathing and can cause blood pressure to drop dangerously low, limiting blood flow to vital organs. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

This drug mix can raise heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety, while long-term use may lead to addiction or cardiovascular problems. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024

One study out of Korea, for example, found that participants who consumed kimchi daily over a longer period of time noticed a significant improvement in their body fat percentage and blood pressure. —Maria Berentzen, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

blood pressure

noun

: pressure of the blood on the walls of blood vessels and especially arteries that varies with physical condition and age

Medical Definition

blood pressure

noun

: pressure exerted by the blood upon the walls of the blood vessels and especially arteries, usually measured on the radial artery by means of a sphygmomanometer, and expressed in millimeters of mercury either as a fraction having as numerator the maximum pressure that follows systole of the left ventricle of the heart and as denominator the minimum pressure that accompanies cardiac diastole or as a whole number representing the first value only

a blood pressure of 120/80

a blood pressure of 120

—abbreviation BP