Hypertension Glossary of Terms

ARCHIVED 2015-10-08, DATE APPROXIMATE · VERSION 20151008_rev01 · COMPARED WITH 20150906_rev01

Full text changes — 20150906_rev01 to 20151008_rev01

COLOUR MARKS THE SEVERITY OF A FLAGGED CLAUSE · + AND − MARK ADDED AND REMOVED

 **[Angina](http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/heart-disease-angina):** [chest pain](http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/whats-causing-my-chest-pain)
 **Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors:** one kind of [medication](http://www.webmd.com/drugs/index-drugs.aspx) used to treat [high blood pressure](http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/default.htm) by preventing the body from making the chemical angiotensin II. This chemical causes [blood](http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/rm-quiz-blood-basics) vessels to narrow, which can raise [blood pressure](http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/diastolic-and-systolic-blood-pressure-know-your-numbers). [ACE inhibitors](http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/medicine-ace-inhibitors) allow the vessels to expand, which lowers blood pressure. These drugs are also used to treat [congestive heart failure](http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide-heart-failure), to protect the [kidneys](http://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/picture-of-the-kidneys) in people with [diabetes](http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/default.htm), and to treat people who have had a [heart attack](http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/ss/slideshow-heart-attack).
+[5 Tips on Reducing Salt Intake](http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/tips-to-reduce-salt-intake)
+[Atherosclerosis and High Blood Pressure](http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/atherosclerosis-and-high-blood-pressure)
+Cutting down on salt may help lower your blood pressure. And most Americans need to cut back, because they get more sodium than they should. The American Heart Association recommends getting less than 2,500 milligrams (mg) of sodium each day, unless you have high blood pressure or if you are at risk (if you already have hypertension, have diabetes or kidney disease or are African American). That's less than a teaspoon from all your meals and snacks. Start with these tips: Break the habit of...
+About one in three adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure. More than 90% of adults who survive into their 80s will develop elevated blood pressure -- also called hypertension -- and about 50% of people will have it by age 60. Although high blood pressure is common, it's not harmless. High blood pressure is a major cause of atherosclerosis, the artery-clogging process that leads to heart attacks and strokes. Blood pressure higher than 140/90 is seen in: 69% of people who have their first...
+[Read the 5 Tips on Reducing Salt Intake article > >](http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/tips-to-reduce-salt-intake)
+[Read the Atherosclerosis and High Blood Pressure article > >](http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/atherosclerosis-and-high-blood-pressure)
 **[Atherosclerosis](http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/what-is-atherosclerosis):** the build-up of fatty deposits within the [arteries](http://www.webmd.com/heart/picture-of-the-arteries), eventually may cause a blockage of blood flow or stiffening of the artery walls.
 **Balloon [Angioplasty](http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/treatment-angioplasty-stents):** a procedure in which a small balloon at the tip of the catheter (see [cardiac catheterization](http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/cardiac-catheterization)) is inflated while in an artery to stretch a narrowed artery opening and allow for increase blood flow.
 **Beta-Blockers:** one kind of medication used to treat [high blood pressure](http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/ss/slideshow-hypertension-overview), chest pain, and [irregular heartbeat](http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/what-causes-heart-palpitations) and to help protect a person from [heart disease](http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/default.htm). Beta-blockers work by blocking the effects of adrenaline in various parts of the body. Beta-blockers relieve stress on the [heart](http://www.webmd.com/heart/picture-of-the-heart) so that it requires less blood and oxygen. As a result, the [heart](http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/rm-quiz-know-heart) doesn't have to work as hard and blood pressure is lowered.