Alpha-Adrenoceptor Antagonists
Medications that relax blood vessels by blocking alpha receptors, helping blood flow more easily and lowering blood pressure.
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
Drugs that lower blood pressure by preventing the formation of a substance (angiotensin II) that tightens blood vessels.
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
Medications that block the action of angiotensin II, leading to wider blood vessels and reduced blood pressure.
Atrial Fibrillation
Irregular heartbeat that increases stroke risk
Auscultatory Measurement (Manual)
Traditional blood pressure measurement using a cuff and stethoscope to detect sounds as blood flow returns to the arm after cuff inflation.
Beta-Adrenoceptor Antagonists (Beta-Blockers)
Drugs that slow the heart rate and reduce the heart's workload, helping to lower blood pressure and manage stress on the heart.
Blood Pressure (BP)
The force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels. Normal blood pressure is typically less than 120/80 mm Hg.
Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs)
Medications that prevent calcium from entering heart and blood vessel cells, allowing blood vessels to relax and blood pressure to decrease.
Cardiometabolic Disorders
Conditions like obesity and metabolic syndrome, closely linked to hypertension and cardiovascular risk.
Centrally Acting Agents
Drugs that reduce blood pressure by influencing the brain’s signals to blood vessels, leading to relaxation and dilation.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Gradual loss of kidney function, exacerbated by high blood pressure.
Dementia
Cognitive decline linked to chronic high blood pressure and poor blood flow to the brain.
Diabetes
Chronic condition affecting blood sugar regulation, commonly associated with high blood pressure.
Diastolic Blood Pressure
The bottom number in a blood pressure reading; it indicates the pressure in your arteries between heartbeats when the heart is at rest.
Direct Renin Inhibitors
Medications that directly block the activity of renin, an enzyme involved in raising blood pressure, thus helping lower blood pressure.
Hypertension
A chronic medical condition where blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other complications.
Hypotension
Abnormally low blood pressure, which can cause symptoms like dizziness and fainting.
Lifestyle Modifications
Changes in diet, physical activity, weight management, stress reduction, and limiting alcohol and salt intake, recommended for controlling and preventing hypertension.
Oscillometric Measurement (Automatic)
Automatic blood pressure measurement method using a cuff and electronic sensor to detect pressure changes as blood flow returns after cuff inflation, which may differ slightly from manual measurements.
Other Diuretics
Additional types of diuretics that help remove excess salt and fluid from the body, decreasing blood volume and blood pressure.
Potent Direct Vasodilators
Strong medications that directly widen blood vessels, significantly reducing blood pressure, typically used when other treatments aren't sufficient.
Pregnancy-related Hypertension
High blood pressure occurring during pregnancy, increasing risk for mother and baby.
Prehypertension
A condition where blood pressure is elevated above normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as hypertension; it indicates an increased risk for developing hypertension.
Pulmonary Hypertension
High blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart, distinct from general systemic hypertension.
Resistant Hypertension
High blood pressure that remains above the target level despite the concurrent use of three or more antihypertensive medications, including a diuretic.
Sight Loss
Vision impairment or blindness due to damage caused by persistently high blood pressure.
Stroke
Sudden Interruption of blood supply to the brain, often linked to hypertension.
Systolic Blood Pressure
The top number in a blood pressure reading; it represents the pressure in your arteries when the heart beats.
Thiazide and Thiazide-Like Diuretics
Medications that help the kidneys eliminate sodium and water from the body, reducing fluid in blood vessels and lowering blood pressure.
Ultrasound Renal Denervation
A non-drug treatment using ultrasound energy to disrupt nerves around kidney arteries, reducing nerve signals that raise blood pressure.
White Coat Hypertension
A phenomenon where patients exhibit high blood pressure readings in clinical settings but normal readings at home.