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

Example Sentences

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 Treatments could include intravenous fluids, induced vomiting or moderating blood pressure. Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2023 This makes blood thicker and raises blood pressure, boosting the risk of clots in the brain. Jake Frederico, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2023 Magnesium has a wide range of positive side effects, such as relieving muscle cramps, preventing migraines, and slightly lowering blood pressure. Julia Landwehr, Health, 27 Feb. 2023 Cut back on salt, which increases blood pressure. Fortune Well, 21 Feb. 2023 This research lead to studies that proved that music could lower blood pressure, decrease pulse rate, and assist the parasympathetic nervous system, which can affect digestion and some metabolic processes. Nicole Dellert, Allure, 21 Feb. 2023 Noom also encourages you to log other health markers like blood glucose, blood pressure, and water intake. Women's Health, 18 Apr. 2023 Studies show that the calming nature of, well, nature can reduce blood pressure, heart rate and levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Good Housekeeping Editors, Good Housekeeping, 15 Apr. 2023 Over the following year, cardiometabolic risk factors—including blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels—rose in participants who stopped taking semaglutide but remained lower than those in the placebo group.1 However, regaining weight is usually not as beneficial as keeping it off. Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 13 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'blood pressure.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of blood pressure was in 1854

Dictionary Entries Near blood pressure

Cite this Entry

“Blood pressure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blood%20pressure. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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