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

Studies have linked sulforaphane to improved blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and fasting blood glucose. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 11 Jan. 2025

However, too much caffeine can increase anxiety and blood pressure, which negatively impacts brain health. —Sarah Anzlovar, Ms, Rd, Verywell Health, 10 Jan. 2025

Wearable health devices can continuously monitor heart rate, blood pressure and other physiological features, producing data that AI tools can use to diagnose disease and personalize treatment. —Aaron J. Masino, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2025

Cortisol is commonly known as the stress hormone and plays a critical role in regulating fight or flight response, blood pressure, blood sugar, metabolism, and sleep cycles. —Victoria Song, The Verge, 6 Jan. 2025

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