Hypertension Glossary of Terms

ARCHIVED 2015-12-09, DATE APPROXIMATE · VERSION 20151209_rev01 · COMPARED WITH 20151108_rev01

Full text changes — 20151108_rev01 to 20151209_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).
+[Taking High Blood Pressure Drugs Properly](http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/how-take-blood-pressure-medicine-properly-why-you-should)
+[High Blood Pressure in African-Americans](http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/hypertension-in-african-americans)
+If you're like most people with high blood pressure, drugs are a major part of your plan to lower your blood pressure. Your doctor's goal is to find the right combination of high blood pressure medicines that accomplishes these goals: Lowers your high blood pressure to normal levels Is easy to take Has few or no side effects How can you work with your doctor to make sure your high blood pressure medicine is meeting these goals? Perhaps these 10 tips can help.
+High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects African-Americans in unique ways: African-Americans develop high blood pressure at younger ages than other groups in the U.S. African-Americans are more likely to develop complications associated with high blood pressure. These problems include stroke, kidney disease, blindness, dementia, and heart disease. Why is high blood pressure in African-Americans so common? If you are African-American, what can you do to avoid developing...
+[Read the Taking High Blood Pressure Drugs Properly article > >](http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/how-take-blood-pressure-medicine-properly-why-you-should)
+[Read the High Blood Pressure in African-Americans article > >](http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/hypertension-in-african-americans)
 **[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.