Glossary

ACE-inhibitors: A class of drugs which act to lower blood pressure by blocking the action of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme, causing a reduction in vasoconstriction throughout the body.

Alpha-blockers: Class of drugs that block alpha-adrenergic receptors. Can be used to treat hypertension, though their use is not common.

Angioedema: Swelling of the deep layers of the skin (dermis).

Atherosclerosis: Condition where fatty material builds up on the inner wall of arteries. This can become calcified and hardened.

Baroreceptors: Receptors found within blood vessel walls that detect blood pressure and send signals to the central nervous system to alter cardiac output or total peripheral resistance.

Beta-blockers: Class of drugs that block beta-adrenergic receptors. Commonly used for treatment of hypertension by.

Bradykinin: A peptide produced by the body that dilates blood vessels and so lowers blood pressure.

Cardiac output: Volume of blood pumped by the heart each minute.

Collecting duct: Tubules in the kidney connecting the nephrons to the ureter.

Distal convoluted tubule: Part of the nephron in the kidney that is the main site for regulation of calcium. This is the site of action for thiazide diuretics.

Essential hypertension: Chronic high blood pressure with no identifiable specific cause.

Glomerulus: Glomeruli (pl). Small capillary clusters in the kidney responsible for the filtration of blood to form urine.

Haemodynamics: The study of blood flow.

Homeostasis: Mechanisms in the body for controlling a constant internal environment necessary for survival.

Hyperkalaemia: Elevated concentration of blood potassium.

Juxtaglomerular cell tumour: A rare form of kidney cancer that causes hypertension by secreting renin.

Obstructive sleep apnea: A condition where pauses in normal breathing pattern occur during sleep due to an obstruction in the upper airway.

Pheochromocytoma: Tumour of the adrenal gland that causes excessive release of adrenaline and noradrenaline.

Pre-eclampsia: An endothelial dysfunction that can occur during pregnancy, where the main symptom is raised blood pressure. It can be lethal for both the mother and the unborn child.

Renal artery stenosis: Narrowing of an artery leading to the kidney, usually because of atherosclerosis.

Renin-angiotensin system: A hormonal system in the body that regulates the volume of blood in the body and therefore the blood pressure. Renin brings about formation of angiotensin I, which is then converted to angiotensin II. Angiotensin II stimulates vascular constriction, which increases total peripheral resistance.

Secondary hypertension: Chronic high blood pressure cause by an underlying disease or condition.

Sodium/chloride co-transporter: Transporter in the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney responsible for reabsorption of sodium and chloride.

Stent: A tube inserted into a blocked or partially blocked artery in order to improve blood flow.

Tachycardia: Increased heart rate.

Total peripheral resistance: The resistance to blood flow exerted by all the vessels of the body.

Vasodilatation: Dilation of a blood vessel by the action of a nerve.

Venous return: The volume of blood returning to the heart through the veins.

Voltage activated calcium channels: Channels found in excitable cells that are activated by membrane depolarisation.