blood pressure

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.
Abbreviation: BP.
Compare diastolic, systolic.
Origin
1870-75
Examples from the web for blood pressure
  • For years many researchers have claimed that salt threatens public health by contributing to high blood pressure.
  • Another found that blood pressure decreased during an afternoon siesta.
  • Hypertension is the term used to describe high blood pressure.
  • High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is elevated pressure of the blood in the arteries.
  • Drug-induced hypertension is high blood pressure caused by using a chemical substance, drug, or medication.
  • Healthy lifestyle changes are an important first step for lowering blood pressure.
  • Renovascular hypertension is high blood pressure due to narrowing of the arteries that carry blood to the kidneys.
  • The stress of the day, from morning traffic to the evening news, can make anyone's blood pressure rise.
  • They are people who can eat as much salt as they want and still their blood pressure is low.
  • blood pressure can be estimated by looking at the vertical distance between the head and the heart.
British Dictionary definitions for blood pressure

blood pressure

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
blood pressure in Medicine

blood pressure n.

Abbr. BP, B.P. The pressure exerted by the blood against the walls of the arteries, maintained by the contraction of the left ventricle, the resistance of the arterioles and capillaries, the elasticity of the arterial walls, and by the viscosity and volume of the blood. Also called arteriotony.

blood pressure in Science
blood pressure
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. See more at hypertension, hypotension.

blood pressure in Culture

blood pressure definition


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.)