blood pressure

American  

noun

Physiology.

1. the pressure of the blood against the inner walls of the blood vessels, varying in different parts of the body during different phases of contraction of the heart and under different conditions of health, exertion, etc. BP

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blood pressure British  

noun

1. the pressure exerted by the blood on the inner walls of the arteries, being relative to the elasticity and diameter of the vessels and the force of the heartbeat

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blood pressure Scientific  

1. The pressure of the blood in the vessels, especially the arteries, as it circulates through the body. Blood pressure varies with the strength of the heartbeat, the volume of blood being pumped, and the elasticity of the blood vessels. Arterial blood pressure is usually measured by means of a sphygmomanometer and reported in millimeters of mercury as a fraction, with the numerator equal to the blood pressure during systole and the denominator equal to the blood pressure during diastole.

2. See more at hypertension hypotension

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blood pressure Cultural  

1. The pressure of the blood against the walls of the blood vessels, especially the arteries. It is expressed in two figures, said to be one “over” the other: the systolic pressure, which is the pressure when the left ventricle of the heart contracts to push the blood through the body; and the diastolic pressure, which is the pressure when the ventricle relaxes and fills with blood. Blood pressure is affected by the strength of the heartbeat, the volume of blood in the body, the elasticity of the blood vessels, and the age and general health of the person. (See circulatory system.)

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Etymology

Origin of blood pressure

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

She needed to be given oxygen, had low blood pressure and her heart rate was dropping.

From BBC

Hot dogs and other processed meats contain a lot of sodium, which can raise blood pressure, for example.

From The Wall Street Journal

It can influence both physical and mental health, contributing to problems such as anxiety, trouble sleeping, muscle pain, high blood pressure and a less effective immune system, according to the American Psychological Association.

From Science Daily

Another visitor, Balasubramanian Sathiabaskaran, said he had high blood pressure and chose to save half of his meal and tuck it away for dinner, so he had something to eat later.

From BBC

When they looked at the entire group of participants, they did not see meaningful differences in hypertension risk or blood pressure between those who took a daily multivitamin and those who received a placebo.

From Science Daily