hypertension
Americannoun
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Pathology.
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elevation of the blood pressure, especially the diastolic pressure.
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an arterial disease characterized by this condition.
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excessive or extreme emotional tenseness.
noun
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Abnormally high blood pressure, especially in the arteries. High blood pressure increases the risk for heart attack and stroke.
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Also called high blood pressure
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of hypertension
Explanation
If you've got hypertension, you've got high blood pressure, and you're likely to be on medication to bring it down to a safe level. Hyper- is a prefix that means "over" or "beyond" — if you're hyper you're wildly energetic. Tension means "stretching" or "straining." Hypertension, therefore, means "straining beyond." With hypertension, your blood pressure is abnormally high, causing a strain on your blood vessels. This condition can result in serious health problems, such as heart attack and stroke.
Vocabulary lists containing hypertension
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 24, 2026
The first program under the partnership will focus on hypertension care and clinical research in Abu Dhabi.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026
For example, the report found that in low- and middle-income countries, less educated populations suffered higher rates of hypertension and diabetes.
From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026
In the kidneys, LPC70 appears to suppress signaling changes associated with hypertension.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026
As in: Mom doesn’t want Dad eating salt, because too much of it increases the volume of blood, which can cause hypertension.
From "The Crossover" by Kwame Alexander
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
