Glossary of Common High Blood Pressure Terms Q-Z
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.
Trachea
The passage through which air passes from the environment to the lungs and back
The passage through which air passes from the environment to the lungs and back
Rasha Shastra
Traditional Indian medical tradition
Traditional Indian medical tradition
Tone
Learn more about blood vessel tone, the baseline tension of blood vessels
Learn more about blood vessel tone, the baseline tension of blood vessels
Stimulant
A stimulant is any chemical that increases activity in the nervous system or cardiovascular system.
A stimulant is any chemical that increases activity in the nervous system or cardiovascular system.
Reversible Airway Disease
Diseases of the respiratory system whose symptoms tend to come and go depending on physical and environmental conditions
Diseases of the respiratory system whose symptoms tend to come and go depending on physical and environmental conditions
Stress Test
Medical procedure that uses stress to examine the heart for any defects or problems.
Medical procedure that uses stress to examine the heart for any defects or problems.
Resting Heart Rate
How fast the heart beats without exercise or stimulation.
How fast the heart beats without exercise or stimulation.
Target Heart Rate
During exercise, the heart rate at which the most cardiovascular benefits occur.
During exercise, the heart rate at which the most cardiovascular benefits occur.
Tachycardia
Rapid heart beat
Rapid heart beat
Vasodilator
What is a vasodilator? A vasodilator is any chemical that causes blood vessels to relax.
What is a vasodilator? A vasodilator is any chemical that causes blood vessels to relax.
Volume Expansion
An increased level of fluid in the body. Volume expansion contributes to elevated blood pressure.
An increased level of fluid in the body. Volume expansion contributes to elevated blood pressure.
Vasoactive
Vasoactive chemicals possess the ability to alter blood vessel tension.
Vasoactive chemicals possess the ability to alter blood vessel tension.
Vasoconstrictor
Any chemical that constricts blood vessels
Any chemical that constricts blood vessels
Renin
A hormone that raises blood pressure.
A hormone that raises blood pressure.
Reactive Oxygen Molecules
A type of activated oxygen molecule that can cause cell damage.
A type of activated oxygen molecule that can cause cell damage.
Sphygmomanometer
The device used to measure blood pressure.
The device used to measure blood pressure.
RCA
Abbreviation for Right Circumflex coronary artery
Abbreviation for Right Circumflex coronary artery
Systole
The phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart is contracting
The phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart is contracting
Smooth Muscle
A type of involuntary muscle which wraps many organs, including blood vessels
A type of involuntary muscle which wraps many organs, including blood vessels