Aneurysm: A localized, blood-filled dilatation of a blood vessel caused by a disease or weakening of the vessel's wall.

Arteriosclerosis:  A chronic disease in which thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the arterial walls result in impaired blood circulation. Also called hardening of the arteries. It develops with aging, and in hypertension, diabetes, and other conditions.

Atherosclerosis:  A form of arteriosclerosis which is characterized by plaques containing cholesterol and lipids are deposited on the innermost layer of the walls of large and medium-sized arteries.

Blood pressure: The force exerted by blood on the walls of the arteries. This pressure is greatest during the contraction of the ventricles of the heart (systolic pressure), which forces blood into the arterial system. Pressure falls to its lowest level when the heart is filling with blood (diastolic pressure).

Blood pressure cuff: An instrument used to measure blood pressure, a blood pressure cuff consists of an air pump, a pressure gauge, and a rubber cuff. It registers the blood pressure in units called millimeters of mercury (mmHg). This instrument is also known as a sphygmomanometer.

Blood vessels: The flexible tubular canals through which blood circulates in the body. Arteries, veins, and capillaries are all kinds of blood vessels.

Circulatory system: The system in the body by which blood and lymph are circulated. The circulatory system includes the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries. The organs of the lymphatic system are also considered to be part of the circulatory system.

Diastolic blood pressure: The second of two numbers used to measure blood pressure. This is the minimum pressure in the arteries between beats when the heart relaxes to fill with blood.

HBP: Abbreviation for high blood pressure

Heart attack: An episode of heart failure or the stopping of normal heart function; a coronary thrombosis. Symptoms of a heart attack include pain and pressure in the chest, which often spread to the shoulder, arm, and neck. Today, physicians tend to define heart attack in terms of muscle damage to the heart caused by oxygen deprivation.

Heart failure:  Occurs when the heart loses its ability to pump blood efficiently and fails to meet the demands of the body.

Hypertension: A condition in adults normally described by a systolic pressure of greater than 140 mmHg or a diastolic pressure greater than 90 mmHg.  Typically, three separate abnormally high readings over a few weeks is necessary to diagnosis this condition.

mmHg: The medical abbreviation for millimeter of mercury, a unit used to measure blood pressure. One mmHg is equal to the pressure exerted by a column of mercury at 0 degrees C one millimeter high at sea level.

Kidney failure: loss of the kidneys' ability to excrete wastes, concentrate urine, and conserve electrolytes.

Primary or essential hypertension:  Terms used for hypertension when the cause is unknown.

Stroke: A sudden loss of brain function caused by an interruption in the supply of blood to the brain. A ruptured blood vessel or cerebral thrombosis may cause the stroke, which can occur in varying degrees of severity from temporary paralysis and slurred speech to permanent brain damage and death.

Systolic blood pressure: The first of two numbers used to measure blood pressure. This is the maximum pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts (beats) and pushes blood out into the body.

Thrombosis: The development of a blood clot in the circulatory system. Depending on the location of the clot, the resultant loss of circulation can lead to a stroke (cerebral thrombosis) or a heart attack (coronary thrombosis).

White coat hypertension:  Blood pressure that is elevated in the doctor's office but normal outside of the doctor's office.