Sodium and Hypertension Review

Flashcards based on key concepts from the lecture on Sodium and Hypertension, covering definitions and important terms related to blood pressure management.

Blood Pressure

The force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels, measured in mmHg.

Systolic Blood Pressure

The pressure in the blood vessels when the heart beats and pumps blood out.

Diastolic Blood Pressure

The pressure in the blood vessels when the heart is at rest between beats.

Hypertension

A medical condition characterized by persistently elevated blood pressure, defined as 140/90 mmHg or higher.

Pressure-Natriuresis

An autoregulatory mechanism where increased arterial pressure leads to increased excretion of sodium and water to restore normal blood pressure.

Endothelial Dysfunction

A condition where the endothelium (inner lining of blood vessels) does not function normally, contributing to cardiovascular diseases.

DASH Diet

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, a dietary pattern rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy, aimed at reducing blood pressure.

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)

A hormone system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance.

Vascular Resistance

The resistance that must be overcome to push blood through the circulatory system, influencing blood pressure.

Aging Arteries

The process of arterial stiffness that tends to increase blood pressure with age.