hypertension

[hahy-per-ten-shuhn]

noun

1. Pathology.

   1. elevation of the blood pressure, especially the diastolic pressure.

   2. an arterial disease characterized by this condition.

2. excessive or extreme emotional tenseness.

hypertension

/ ˌhaɪpəˈtɛnsɪv, ˌhaɪpəˈtɛnʃən /

noun

1. pathol abnormally high blood pressure

hypertension

1. Abnormally high blood pressure, especially in the arteries. High blood pressure increases the risk for heart attack and stroke.

2. Also called high blood pressure

hypertension

1. Abnormally high blood pressure.

Other Word Forms

• hypertensive adjective
• antihypertension adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypertension¹

First recorded in 1890–95; hyper- + tension

Example Sentences

Tracy Crowley, a staff attorney at Immigrant Defenders Law Center, said clients with serious conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and cancer don’t receive their medication some days.

From Los Angeles Times

Toxic or visceral fat — meaning fat around our internal organs — has led to a rise in diseases and conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, arthritis, blood clots, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke and certain cancers.

From Los Angeles Times

That difference at the cellular level is important, because women tend to have more salt-sensitive hypertension, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, than men, especially in the menopausal phase.

From Salon

Watkins administered medication to treat hypertension and another to restore fluid and electrolyte balance.

From Los Angeles Times

This would leave millions of women uninsured at a critical time when they are vulnerable to postpartum depression, infections, hypertension, and other life-threatening complications.

From Salon