blood pressure

noun

: pressure that is exerted by the blood upon the walls of the blood vessels and especially arteries and that varies with the muscular efficiency of the heart, the blood volume and viscosity, the age and health of the individual, and the state of the vascular wall

Examples of blood pressure in a Sentence

The doctor says he has high blood pressure.

These drugs help lower blood pressure.

She has a blood pressure of 120.

Recent Examples on the Web

The researchers found that replacing any less active behavior with five minutes of exercise could lower systolic blood pressure by 0.68 points and diastolic blood pressure by 0.54 points. —Linda Carroll, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024

However, higher doses of taurine may lower blood pressure and enhance the effects of blood pressure-lowering medications. —Jillian Kubala, Rd, Health, 5 Nov. 2024

Plus, research finds that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise can help reduce inflammation and support healthy blood pressure and a stronger immune system, Norwoods says. —Danielle Dimeglio, SELF, 31 Oct. 2024

Device Alarms and Settings The IABP device monitors your heart's rhythm and blood pressure to time the inflation and deflation of the balloon. —Christopher Lee, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

blood pressure

noun

: pressure of the blood on the walls of blood vessels and especially arteries that varies with physical condition and age

Medical Definition

blood pressure

noun

: pressure exerted by the blood upon the walls of the blood vessels and especially arteries, usually measured on the radial artery by means of a sphygmomanometer, and expressed in millimeters of mercury either as a fraction having as numerator the maximum pressure that follows systole of the left ventricle of the heart and as denominator the minimum pressure that accompanies cardiac diastole or as a whole number representing the first value only

a blood pressure of 120/80

a blood pressure of 120

—abbreviation BP