Hypertension Glossary of Terms

ARCHIVED 2008-12-30, DATE APPROXIMATE · VERSION 20081230_rev01 · COMPARED WITH 20070404_rev01

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 **Carotid Endarterectomy:** the surgical removal of plaque within the carotid artery.Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: a test that uses X-rays to create a cross-sectional image of selected body sections of a person. Congestive Heart Failure: the inability of the heart to adequately pump blood. This can be caused by a number of problems, including untreated hypertension, heart attacks or infections.
 **Corticosteroids:** natural hormones, or a group of drugs that are similar to the natural hormones, produced by the adrenal glands. There are two main types: glucocorticoids, which have anti-inflammatory effects, and mineralocorticoids, which are necessary for salt and water balance.
 **Cyclosporine:** a drug that organ transplant patients take to suppress the immune system in order to prevent their bodies from rejecting the transplant.
+**DASH Diet:** The DASH diet, which stands for the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet, calls for a certain number of servings daily from various food groups, including more daily servings of fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods.
+**Diastolic Blood Pressure:** the pressure of blood against the walls of the arteries when the heart relaxes between beats. It is the "bottom" number when referring to a specific blood pressure. For example, if your blood pressure is 120 over 80 or 120/80, the diastolic measurement is 80.
+**Diuretics:** Diuretics act on the kidneys to remove excess salt and fluid from the blood. This increases the flow of urine and the need to urinate, which reduces the amount of water in the body. This can help lower blood pressure and can be used to treat hypertension and heart failure.
+**Echocardiogram:** a test that uses a device to bounce sound waves off the heart to create an image of the heart. The image details the blood flow in the heart's chambers and evaluates heart chamber size and how the heart valves are functioning.
+**Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG):** a diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity, rate and rhythm of the heartbeat via electrodes attached to the arms, legs, and chest
+**Essential Hypertension:** high blood pressure that does not have an apparent defect or cause, but is associated with such conditions such as obesity, smoking, diet.. The vast majority (95%) of people with high blood pressure have essential hypertension. (also known as primary hypertension)
+**Exercise Stress Test:** a test in which electrocardiogram readings are taken while the patient exercises (on a treadmill or stationary bicycle) to increase heart rate to a predetermined point.
+**Erythropoietin:** a hormone that stimulates production of red blood cells and is used to treat anemia caused by chronic diseases.
+**Heart Attack:** damage to the heart muscle caused by lack of blood flow to the heart muscle resulting in heart muscle death.
+**Hypertension:** high blood pressure
+**Hypertensive Emergency:** a severe elevation in blood pressure that can lead to organ damage, including encephalopathy (brain damage), heart attack, heart failure, hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain), eclampsia (a condition in which pregnant women have water retention, hypertension, protein in the urine, and seizures), kidney damage and arterial bleeding.
+**Hypertensive Retinopathy:** damage to the blood vessels in the retina (the area at the back of the eye) caused by hypertension.
+**Hypertensive Urgency:** a form of hypertensive crisis, a spectrum of situations that includes high blood pressure and progressive or impending organ damage caused by high blood pressure.
+**Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy:** a condition in which the heart muscle becomes enlarged and is unable to function properly.
+**Ischemic Heart Disease:** a condition caused by a decrease in blood flow to the heart. This decrease is usually the result of narrowed coronary arteries, which impede the blood flow.
+**Kidney Failure (end-stage renal disease):** a condition in which the kidney cannot filter and excrete waste products.
+**Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):** a medical test that uses magnetic energy to create images of the body. This test is particularly useful to study soft tissues (such as organs in the body).
+**Magnetic Resonance Arteriography (MRA):** one type of MRI test that provides detailed pictures of blood vessels and can reveal where arteries may be narrowed or where blood flow is blocked.
+**Potassium:** an electrolyte that is vital in ensuring that cells can function properly. It is used to make energy for all muscles, including heart muscles.
+**Proteinuria:** the presence of protein in the urine. This may indicate kidney disease or damage.
+**Secondary Hypertension:** high blood pressure that is secondary to problem in another part of the body, such as the adrenals or kidneys or aorta.
+**Sphygmomanometer:** a device that is used to measure blood pressure. The sphygmomanometer consists of an arm cuff, dial, pump, and valve.
+**Stent:** a metal device that can keep blood vessels open after a surgical procedure or heart catheterization.
+**Stroke:** an interruption of the blood supply in the brain, resulting in damaged brain tissue. An interruption can be caused by clots that block blood flow, or by bleeding in the brain from a ruptured blood vessel or a significant injury.
+**Systolic Blood Pressure:** the highest force of blood against the walls of the artery when the heart contracts or squeezes blood into the blood vessels. It is the "top" number when referring to a specific blood pressure. For example, if your blood pressure is 120 over 80 or 120/80, the systolic measurement is 120.
+**TIA (transient ischemic attack):** a "mini-stroke," or a warning of an impending stroke. A TIA takes place when blood flow to part of the brain is briefly interrupted.
+**TPA:** a thrombolytic agent, or "clot buster" medication. TPA may be used as treatment for acute ischemic stroke (stroke of sudden onset, caused by a clot blocking blood flow to part of the brain).
+**Ultrasound:** a test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of body organs and systems.
+Reviewed by the doctors at [The Cleveland Clinic Heart Center.](https://www.webmd.com/click)