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High blood pressure

Technically referred to as hypertension, it's a chronic condition in which the blood pressure in the blood vessels is elevated, or higher than normal. High blood pressure requires the heart to work harder than normal to circulate blood through the body, leading to a variety of medical symptoms. Blood pressure involves two measurements, systolic and diastolic, which depend on whether the heart muscle is contracting (systole) or relaxed (diastole) between beats. Normal blood pressure is at or below 120/80 mmHg. High blood pressure is said to be present if it is persistently at or above 140/90 mmHg.

Contributors in High blood pressure

High blood pressure

calcium channel blockers

Health care; High blood pressure

A class of blood pressure medications that relax and widen the blood vessels to decrease blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Calcium channel blockers or CCBs are particularly effective in ...

angiotensin-renin-aldosterone system

Health care; High blood pressure

A group of related hormones that work together to regulate blood pressure and water (fluid) balance. When blood volume is low, juxtaglomerular cells in the kidneys secrete renin directly into ...

arterial hypertension

Health care; High blood pressure

Also just called hypertension, it’s a chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure inside the arteries is elevated above normal. Hypertension makes the heart work harder to circulate blood ...

electrocardiogram (ECG)

Health care; High blood pressure

A graphical recording of the heart's electrical activity. ECGs are used to detect heart damage that may be caused by high blood pressure.

blood pressure

Health care; High blood pressure

Blood pressure is the force of the blood against the walls of the arteries. It is measured by a ratio of two numbers: Systolic – registered during a heartbeat (when the heart muscle ...

hypertension

Health care; High blood pressure

Blood pressure is the pressure of the blood against the walls of the arteries. When that pressure is consistently above the normal range, it is considered hypertension, or high blood pressure. This ...

pulmonary hypertension

Health care; High blood pressure

Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the arteries, capillaries and veins within the lungs. This condition is different from hypertension, or high blood pressure, measured by a traditional ...

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