hypertension

noun

hy·​per·​ten·​sion ˌhī-pər-ˈten(t)-shən How to pronounce hypertension (audio)
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). Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2024 Earlier studies showed that salt substitutes could lower blood pressure — systolic, in particular — among people with hypertension, Wu said. Linda Carroll, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2024 In addition to getting plenty of exercise, one's diet plays a major role in preventing hypertension. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 Those services may include cancer radiation, treatments for Alzheimer disease, and care for heart failure and hypertension, according to the agreement. Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2024 This is silly and harmful because good communication is critical to success in the fight against hypertension. Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 25 Jan. 2024 Scientists believe that imbalances in the complex ecosystem that is the billions of microbes inhabiting our digestive tract contribute to hypertension—and ongoing research (which includes clinical trials!) suggests that probiotics can help restore balance. Lauren Del Turco, SELF, 22 Feb. 2024 Founded in 2011, Dario started with a diabetes app targeted at consumers before expanding it to hypertension and weight management. Mario Aguilar, STAT, 21 Feb. 2024 In December, Bloomberg reported that Apple is working on advanced health monitoring (including sleep apnea and hypertension) for the next Apple Watch. Amrita Khalid, The Verge, 9 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

hyper- + tension entry 1, probably after French hypertension

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypertension was in 1893

Dictionary Entries Near hypertension

Cite this Entry

“Hypertension.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypertension. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hypertension

noun
hy·​per·​ten·​sion ˈhī-pər-ˌten-chən How to pronounce hypertension (audio)

Medical Definition

hypertension

noun
hy·​per·​ten·​sion ˈhī-pər-ˌten-chən How to pronounce hypertension (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on hypertension

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