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

When valves inside of the veins of the leg fail, blood flows in the wrong direction and pools in the lower leg, causing pressure within the veins of the leg to increase (venous hypertension). —Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2024

Severe pulmonary hypertension, a potentially life-threatening condition, has damaged his lungs and is causing his heart to fail. —The Indianapolis Star, 18 Apr. 2024

Minoxidil: Initially developed as an oral medication for severe hypertension in the 1970s, Minoxidil's unintended side effect of hair regrowth led to its topical application for treating alopecia in both men and women. —Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024

Patients with diabetes who develop atherosclerosis may extend their lives with stents; those with hypertension may go on blood-pressure-lowering medications. —Gary Taubes, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2024

However, Consumer Reports specified that, even in small amounts, these heavy metals can cause developmental problems in children, as well as hypertension and kidney damage. —Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 10 Apr. 2024

Key Takeaways Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a rare, incurable, progressive condition that causes fatigue and difficulty breathing. —Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2024

One example: a mother-to-be who dies from hypertension. —Robin Fields, ProPublica, 5 Apr. 2024

Getting inadequate sleep may raise your risk of hypertension by as much as 11%, new research shows. —Maggie O'Neill, Health, 10 Apr. 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