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

Examples of blood pressure in a Sentence

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 Exercises that engage muscles without movement — such as wall squats and planks — may be best for lowering blood pressure, according to a large study published July 2023 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 Recent research suggests an additional way salt may raise blood pressure – by altering your gut microbiome. Christopher Damman, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2024 In addition to suffering a traumatic brain injury, the patient should have dilated pupils and dropping blood pressure, exhibit no reflexes, have no capacity to breathe without a machine, and show no signs of brain activity. Clay Risen, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 Touch can lower blood pressure and stress levels, and boost moods and immune systems. Lori Gottlieb, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2024 Oral magnesium supplementation may help decrease preeclampsia by reducing blood pressure in the last weeks of pregnancy. Casey Seiden, Parents, 24 Feb. 2024 Teaching people the benefit of a more active lifestyle and better nutrition will help much more to keep blood pressure within healthier levels. Torie Bosch, STAT, 17 Feb. 2024 Magnesium, along with other electrolytes, plays an important role in blood pressure regulation.33 While some research studies have found magnesium supplementation to lower blood pressure, more research is needed. Britannay Scanniello, Verywell Health, 1 Mar. 2024 My blood pressure lowers, and my mind stops churning. Jane Alexander, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Feb. 2024

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 29 Mar. 2024.

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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