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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When that vascular responsiveness is compromised, often by conditions like hypertension, insulin resistance, smoking or chronic inflammation, erectile function suffers. Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025 Potassium can be helpful for some people with hypertension because of its impact on blood vessels, but too much potassium can be dangerous. Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 25 June 2025 Choose a sample of patients with hypertension, diabetes or heart failure. Robert Pearl, Twin Cities, 14 June 2025 Our group was the first to try FUS of the spleen in order to reduce the inflammation associated with pulmonary hypertension in rats. Sangeeta S. Chavan, IEEE Spectrum, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for hypertension

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hypertension.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypertension. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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

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