Glossary of Common High Blood Pressure Terms A-H
It is very common to get lost in the jumble of complicated words, medical terminology, and drug names used when reading about high blood pressure or discussing your condition with your doctor. To help tie everything together, use this handy glossary anytime you have a question about a medical term, drug name, or scientific phrase.
Acute Coronary Syndrome
A condition indicating damage to the heart muscle
A condition indicating damage to the heart muscle
Electrocardiogram (EKG)
A visual tracing of electrical activity within the heart
A visual tracing of electrical activity within the heart
Angina
A classic set of symptoms, including chest pain, which indicate a disruption in the flow of blood to the heart
A classic set of symptoms, including chest pain, which indicate a disruption in the flow of blood to the heart
Glycoprotein
Small molecules found on the surface of all cells.
Small molecules found on the surface of all cells.
Coronary Angiography
An invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedure used to directly visualize the blood vessels of the heart and to repair any blockages that may be blocking blood flow
An invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedure used to directly visualize the blood vessels of the heart and to repair any blockages that may be blocking blood flow
Estrogen
Female sex hormone involved in fertility. Provides protection against certain types of heart disease.
Female sex hormone involved in fertility. Provides protection against certain types of heart disease.
Hypericin
A chemical thought to give certain herbal medicines their beneficial effects.
A chemical thought to give certain herbal medicines their beneficial effects.
COX2 Inhibitor
COX2 inhibitors are a type of anti-inflammation and pain relief drug. The drug Vioxx, which is no longer available, was a COX2 inhibitor.
COX2 inhibitors are a type of anti-inflammation and pain relief drug. The drug Vioxx, which is no longer available, was a COX2 inhibitor.
Essential Amino Acid
Amino acids that cannot be made in the body.
Amino acids that cannot be made in the body.
Amino Acid
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
COPD
A disease that affects the small airways of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe and decreasing the efficiency of oxygen exchange
A disease that affects the small airways of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe and decreasing the efficiency of oxygen exchange
Calorie Density
Calorie density is a term that more and more people are using when talking about diet and nutrition. But what does calorie density exactly mean? Find out here.
Calorie density is a term that more and more people are using when talking about diet and nutrition. But what does calorie density exactly mean? Find out here.
Epinephrine
A hormone that raises blood pressure
A hormone that raises blood pressure
Arrhythmia
Disordered or disorganized heart beat.
Disordered or disorganized heart beat.
Dopamine
A chemical messenger in the body that is used to make hormones.
A chemical messenger in the body that is used to make hormones.
Catecholamine
A type of hormone that has powerful effects on blood pressure
A type of hormone that has powerful effects on blood pressure
Adrenal Gland
Small organs near the kidneys that produce a variety of hormones
Small organs near the kidneys that produce a variety of hormones
Comorbidity
Diseases present in the same patient
Diseases present in the same patient
Angina
Chest pain caused by decreased blood flow to the heart. An indication for immediate medical attention.
Chest pain caused by decreased blood flow to the heart. An indication for immediate medical attention.
Definition of Bioavailability
The maximum amount of a drug that is actually available in the body, and how quickly that amount becomes available.
The maximum amount of a drug that is actually available in the body, and how quickly that amount becomes available.
Electrolytes
Charged molecules that help regulate metabolism and total body fluid levels.
Charged molecules that help regulate metabolism and total body fluid levels.
Autoregulation
The process by which organs influence their own blood supply
The process by which organs influence their own blood supply
Cholecalciferol
Cholecalciferol is the chemical name for vitamin D3.
Cholecalciferol is the chemical name for vitamin D3.
Aldosterone
An aldosterone is an adrenal gland hormone that raises blood pressure.
An aldosterone is an adrenal gland hormone that raises blood pressure.
Hormone
A chemical that carries messages from one part of the body to another.
A chemical that carries messages from one part of the body to another.
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
An enzyme that changes one form of angiotensin to another.
An enzyme that changes one form of angiotensin to another.
Angiotensin
An active hormone that raises blood pressure in response to signals from the kidneys.
An active hormone that raises blood pressure in response to signals from the kidneys.
Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia is an abnormally low concentration of potassium in the blood and has several potential causes.
Hypokalemia is an abnormally low concentration of potassium in the blood and has several potential causes.
Definition of Albumin
Albumin is a common protein found in the blood.
Albumin is a common protein found in the blood.
Definition of Atherosclerosis
Narrowing or blockage of small blood vessels as a result of fatty deposits on the vessel walls. A leading cause of heart attack and stroke.
Narrowing or blockage of small blood vessels as a result of fatty deposits on the vessel walls. A leading cause of heart attack and stroke.
Definition of Angioplasty
Angioplasty is a surgical procedure used to widen blocked blood vessels and restore normal blood flow.
Angioplasty is a surgical procedure used to widen blocked blood vessels and restore normal blood flow.
Definition of CABG - Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
An acronym for coronary artery bypass graft, a surgical procedure used to treat blocked vessels in the heart.
An acronym for coronary artery bypass graft, a surgical procedure used to treat blocked vessels in the heart.
Folate
Folate is a type of B vitamin that occurs naturally in foods such as beans and green leafy vegetables. Folate is important for many functions in the body.
Folate is a type of B vitamin that occurs naturally in foods such as beans and green leafy vegetables. Folate is important for many functions in the body.
Cardiac Output
Cardiac output is the amount of blood the heart pumps per unit time.
Cardiac output is the amount of blood the heart pumps per unit time.
Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure is a condition where the heart is unable to supply the body with enough blood.
Congestive heart failure is a condition where the heart is unable to supply the body with enough blood.
Hyperkalemia
Hyperkalemia is an abnormally high blood potassium concentration, and has a number of possible causes.
Hyperkalemia is an abnormally high blood potassium concentration, and has a number of possible causes.
Aorta
A large artery that connects directly to the heart
A large artery that connects directly to the heart
Hypertension
Abnormally high pressures on the walls of the arteries.
Abnormally high pressures on the walls of the arteries.
Cardiac Cycle
Term used to describe a complete contraction and relaxation of the heart
Term used to describe a complete contraction and relaxation of the heart
Diastole
The phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart is relaxed
The phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart is relaxed
Stage 1 Hypertension
Early high blood pressure that may require treatment
Early high blood pressure that may require treatment
Stage 2 Hypertension
Serious high blood pressure that requires immediate treatment
Serious high blood pressure that requires immediate treatment
Beta Receptor
A specific molecule found in the body which receives and processes signals from the nervous system
A specific molecule found in the body which receives and processes signals from the nervous system
Coronary Artery
A type of blood vessel whose job is to supply the heart.
A type of blood vessel whose job is to supply the heart.
Diffusion
A process where substances are transported from one area to another without using energy
A process where substances are transported from one area to another without using energy
Gestational Hypertension
A type of high blood pressure that may occur during pregnancy
A type of high blood pressure that may occur during pregnancy