Hypertension Glossary of Terms

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 **Angina:** [chest pain](https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/whats-causing-my-chest-pain)
+**Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors:** one kind of [medication](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/index-drugs.aspx) used to treat high blood pressure by preventing the body from making the chemical angiotensin II. This chemical causes blood vessels to narrow, which can raise blood pressure. [ACE inhibitors](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/medicine-ace-inhibitors) allow the vessels to expand, which lowers blood pressure. These drugs are also used to treat [congestive heart failure](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/guide-heart-failure), to protect the kidneys in people with diabetes, and to treat people who have had a [heart attack](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/ss/slideshow-heart-attack).
+**Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors:** one kind of [medication](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/index-drugs.aspx) used to treat high blood pressure by preventing the body from making the chemical angiotensin II. This chemical causes blood vessels to narrow, which can raise blood pressure. [ACE inhibitors](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/medicine-ace-inhibitors) allow the vessels to expand, which lowers blood pressure. These drugs are also used to treat [congestive heart failure](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/guide-heart-failure), to protect the kidneys in people with diabetes, and to treat people who have had a heart attack.
 [**Atherosclerosis**](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/what-is-atherosclerosis)**:** the build-up of fatty deposits within the [arteries](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/clogged-arteries-arterial-plaque), eventually may cause a blockage of blood flow or stiffening of the artery walls.
 **Balloon** [**Angioplasty**](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/treatment-angioplasty-stents)**:** a procedure in which a small balloon at the tip of the catheter (see [cardiac catheterization](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/cardiac-catheterization1)) is inflated while in an artery to stretch a narrowed artery opening and allow for increased blood flow.
+**Beta-Blockers:** one kind of medication used to treat [high blood pressure](https://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/ss/slideshow-hypertension-overview), chest pain, and [irregular heartbeat](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/what-causes-heart-palpitations) and to help protect a person from heart disease. Beta-blockers work by blocking the effects of adrenaline in various parts of the body. Beta-blockers relieve stress on the heart so that it requires less blood and oxygen. As a result, the heart doesn't have to work as hard and blood pressure is lowered.
+**Beta-Blockers:** one kind of medication used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain, and [irregular heartbeat](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/what-causes-heart-palpitations) and to help protect a person from heart disease. Beta-blockers work by blocking the effects of adrenaline in various parts of the body. Beta-blockers relieve stress on the heart so that it requires less blood and oxygen. As a result, the heart doesn't have to work as hard and blood pressure is lowered.
 **Calcium Channel Blockers:** one kind of [high blood pressure](https://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/default.htm) drug that slows the movement of calcium into the cells of the heart and the walls of the arteries (blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the tissues). This relaxes the arteries and reduces the pressure in the blood vessels and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood.
+[**Cardiac Catheterization**](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/video/cardiac-catheterization)**:** a procedure in which a catheter (a small flexible tube) is inserted into a large artery and guided to the coronary arteries in the heart to determine pressure and blood flow in the heart.
+Cardiac Catheterization**:** a procedure in which a catheter (a small flexible tube) is inserted into a large artery and guided to the coronary arteries in the heart to determine pressure and blood flow in the heart.
 [**Carotid Artery**](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/carotid-artery-disease-causes-symptoms-tests-and-treatment)**:** an artery in the neck that supplies blood to the brain. They are located on both the right and left sides of the neck.
 [**Carotid Endarterectomy**](https://www.webmd.com/stroke/surgery-after-stroke)**:** the surgical removal of plaque within the carotid artery.
 **Computed Tomography (CT) Scan:** a test that uses X-rays to create a cross-sectional image of selected body sections of a person.
+**Congestive Heart Failure:** the inability of the heart to adequately pump blood. This can be caused by a number of problems, including untreated [high blood pressure](https://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/video/bernstein-hypertension-affects-cardiac-risk), [heart attacks](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-disease-heart-attacks), or infections.
+**Congestive Heart Failure:** the inability of the heart to adequately pump blood. This can be caused by a number of problems, including untreated high blood pressure, [heart attacks](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-disease-heart-attacks), or infections.
 **Corticosteroids:** natural hormones, or a group of drugs that are similar to the natural hormones, produced by the adrenal glands. There are two main types: glucocorticoids, which have anti-inflammatory effects, and mineralocorticoids, which are necessary for salt and water balance.
 [**Cyclosporine**](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-5108-CYCLOSPORINE+SOLUTION+-+ORAL.aspx)**:** a drug that [organ transplant](https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/organ-transplant-donor-information) patients take to suppress the immune system in order to prevent their bodies from rejecting the transplant.
 [**DASH Diet**](https://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/dash-diet)**:**[The DASH diet](https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/low-sodium-recipe-cooking-tips), which stands for the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, calls for a certain number of servings daily from various food groups, including more daily servings of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods.
 [**Echocardiogram**](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/diagnosing-echocardiogram)**:** a test that uses a device to bounce sound waves off the heart to create an image of the heart. The [ultrasound](https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-an-ultrasound) image details the blood flow in the heart's chambers and evaluates heart chamber size and how the heart valves are functioning.
 [**Electrocardiogram**](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/electrocardiogram-ekgs) **(EKG or ECG):** a diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity, rate, and rhythm of the heartbeat via electrodes attached to the arms, legs, and chest
 **Essential Hypertension:** high blood pressure that does not have an apparent cause, but may be associated with such conditions such as obesity, smoking, and/or diet. The vast majority (95%) of people with high blood pressure have essential hypertension -- also known as primary hypertension.
+[**Exercise Stress Test**](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/stress-test)**:** a test in which electrocardiogram readings are taken while the patient exercises (on a treadmill or stationary bicycle) to increase [heart rate](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/watching-rate-monitor) to a predetermined point. It's used to diagnose [heart disease](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/ss/slideshow-visual-guide-to-heart-disease) or abnormal heart rhythms.
+[**Exercise Stress Test**](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/stress-test)**:** a test in which electrocardiogram readings are taken while the patient exercises (on a treadmill or stationary bicycle) to increase [heart rate](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/watching-rate-monitor) to a predetermined point. It's used to diagnose heart disease or abnormal heart rhythms.
 **Erythropoietin:** a hormone that stimulates production of red [blood cells](https://www.webmd.com/heart/anatomy-picture-of-blood) and can be used to treat anemia caused by chronic diseases.
+[**Heart Attack**](https://www.webmd.com/women/video/heart-attack-women-different)**:** damage to the heart muscle caused by lack of blood flow to the heart muscle resulting in heart muscle death.
+Heart Attack**:** damage to the heart muscle caused by lack of blood flow to the heart muscle resulting in heart muscle death.
 **Hypertension:** high blood pressure
 **Hypertensive Emergency:** a severe elevation in blood pressure that can lead to organ damage, including encephalopathy ([brain damage](https://www.webmd.com/brain/brain-damage-symptoms-causes-treatments)), heart attack, heart failure, hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain), [eclampsia](https://www.webmd.com/baby/what-is-preeclampsia) (a condition in which pregnant women have water retention, high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and [seizures](https://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/understanding-seizures-basics)), kidney damage, and arterial bleeding.
 **Hypertensive Retinopathy****:** damage to the blood vessels in the retina (the area at the back of the eye) caused by high blood pressure.
 **Hypertensive Urgency:** a form of hypertensive crisis, a spectrum of situations that includes high blood pressure and progressive or impending organ damage caused by high blood pressure.
 [**Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy**](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy)**:** a condition in which the heart muscle becomes enlarged and thickened and may lead to dangerous heart rhythms.
+**Ischemic** [**Heart Disease**](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/video/bernstein-heart-disease-kill)**:** a condition caused by a decrease in blood flow to the heart. This decrease is usually the result of narrowed coronary arteries, which impede the blood flow.
+**Ischemic** Heart Disease**:** a condition caused by a decrease in blood flow to the heart. This decrease is usually the result of narrowed coronary arteries, which impede the blood flow.
 [**Kidney Failure**](https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-acute-kidney-failure) **(end-stage renal disease):** a condition in which the kidney cannot filter and excrete waste products.
 [**Magnetic Resonance Imaging**](https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-an-mri) **(MRI):** a medical test that uses magnetic energy to create images of the body. This test is particularly useful to study soft tissues (such as organs in the body).
 **Magnetic Resonance** [**Arteriography**](https://www.webmd.com/hw/lab_tests/hw201112.asp) **(MRA):** one type of MRI test that provides detailed pictures of blood vessels and can reveal where arteries may be narrowed or where blood flow is blocked.