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

Getting inadequate sleep may raise your risk of hypertension by as much as 11%, new research shows. —Maggie O'Neill, Health, 10 Apr. 2024

Cox said residents in western Louisville have nearly four times greater incidence of cancer, higher risk of hypertension, lack of supportive service for expectant mothers, and a slew of other health issues. —Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 4 Apr. 2024

However, the discrepancy between white and Black adults still held, with white adults more likely to get a prescription, despite higher rates of severe obesity and hypertension among Black adults. —Sara G. Miller, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2024

Kidney disease: Chronic hypertension, elevated blood glucose, and vascular disease can damage the kidneys, eventually leading to kidney failure and a possible need for dialysis. —Kelly Wood, Verywell Health, 16 Feb. 2024

Merck climbed 5% after federal regulators approved its treatment for adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension, a rare disease where blood vessels in the lungs thicken and narrow. —Elaine Kurtenbach, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2024

According to the study’s authors, people who have obstructive sleep apnea and go without much sleep may have a higher chance of having insulin resistance, visceral obesity, and hypertension. —Brian Mastroianni, Health, 27 Mar. 2024

On Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new drug to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, a rare, progressive disease that primary affects women. —Katie Jennings, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

Doctors diagnosed the tenant with hypertension and ketonuria the following day, the complaint continued. —Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 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