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angina: chest pain.
angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: one kind of medication
used to treat hypertension by preventing the body from making the hormone
angiotensin II. This hormone causes blood vessels to narrow, which can raise
blood pressure. ACE inhibitors allow the vessels to expand and allow more blood
to flow to the heart, which lowers blood pressure. These medications are also
used to treat congestive heart failure, to protect the kidneys in people with
diabetes, and to treat people who have had a heart attack. They may also be used
to help prevent heart attacks and strokes in high-risk individuals.
atherosclerosis: the build-up of fatty deposits within the arteries,
eventually causing a blockage of blood flow or stiffening of the artery walls
balloon angioplasty: a procedure in which a small balloon at the
tip of the catheter (see cardiac catheterization) is inflated while in an artery
to stretch a narrowed artery open and increase blood flow
beta blockers: one kind of medication used to treat hypertension, chest
pain, and irregular heartbeat, and to help prevent future heart attacks. Beta
blockers work by blocking the effects of adrenaline in various parts of the
body. They work on the heart to relieve stress to the heart so that it requires
less blood and oxygen. The heart doesn’t have to work as hard, which lowers
blood pressure. Beta blockers work on blood vessels to relax the vessel walls
and lower blood pressure.
calcium channel blockers: one kind of hypertension medication that slows
the movement of calcium into the cells of the heart and the walls of the
arteries (blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the tissues). This
relaxes the arteries and reduces the pressure in the blood vessels.
cardiac catheterization: a procedure in which a catheter (a small
flexible tube) is inserted into an artery and guided to the arteries on the
heart to determine pressure and blood flow in the heart.
carotid artery: an artery on the neck that supplies blood to the brain
carotid endarterectomy: the surgical removal of plaque within the carotid
artery
computed tomography (CT) scan: a test in which an x-ray beam rotates
around the patient, and detectors measure the amount of x-rays that go through
the patient. A computer constructs a cross-sectional image of the data.
congestive heart failure: 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 Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet. The
DASH 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 lowest pressure of blood against the walls
of the arteries when the heart relaxes between beats.
diuretics: one kind of medication used to treat hypertension. Diuretics
act on the kidneys to remove excess salt from the blood. This increases the flow
of urine and the need to urinate, which reduces the amount of water in the body.
This helps lower blood pressure.
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.
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 cause. The vast majority (95%) of high blood pressure is essential
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 loss of blood flow to
the heart
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), and arterial bleeding
hypertensive retinopathy: damage to the blood vessels in the retina (the
area at the back of the eye that contains the cells that are sensitive to light)
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. The heart muscle becomes
too thick to function as it should. This thickening may reduce the size of the
heart chambers, keep the heart valves from working properly, or may block the
flow of blood out of the heart.
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 magnets to
study images of the body. As in the CT, a computer constructs an image of the
body from the magnetic information. 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 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 caused by conditions
such as alcohol or drug abuse, pregnancy, kidney disorders, or taking certain
medications
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 is used to hold tissue in place. A stent 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
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
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