Atherosclerosis: Narrowing and clogging of the arteries caused by a build-up of plaque. Also called atherosclerosis.
Birth control: Equipment or medication used to prevent pregnancy.
Cardiovascular disease: Disease of the heart and blood vessels.
Complications: Diseases or conditions that occur as a result of another disease or condition. An example is pneumonia that occurs as a result of influenza. A complication can also occur as a result of a condition, such as pregnancy. An example of a pregnancy complication is premature birth.
Diabetes Mellitus: A condition where the level of sugar in the blood is too high.
Diastolic blood pressure: The force of the blood in the arteries when the heart is relaxed. It is the lowest reading when blood pressure is measured.
Estrogen: A female hormone produced in the ovaries.
Embryo: The stage of human development beyond 8 completed weeks after fertilization.
Gestational hypertension: High blood pressure that is diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Heart attack: Damage to part of the heart muscle that occurs when its blood supply is cut off. A heart attack is almost always caused by a narrowing or blockage of the blood vessels in the heart.
High blood pressure: Blood pressure above the normal level. Also called hypertension.
Hormone therapy: Treatment where estrogen and often progestogen are taken to help relieve symptoms that can occur around menopause.
Hypertension: High blood pressure.
Kidney disease: A general term for any disease that affects how the kidneys work.
Oxygen: An element that we inhale to sustain life.
Preeclampsia: A disorder that can occur during pregnancy or after birth, where there is high blood pressure and other signs of organ damage. These signs include an abnormal amount of protein in the urine, a low blood platelet count, abnormal kidney or liver function, upper stomach pain, fluid in the lungs, or a severe headache or vision changes.
Pregnancy: Before pregnancy.
Too soon: Less than 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Progestin: A synthetic form of progesterone that is similar to the hormone that the body produces naturally.
Stroke: A sudden interruption of blood flow to all or part of the brain, caused by the blockage or bursting of a blood vessel in the brain. A stroke often results in loss of consciousness and temporary or permanent paralysis.
Systolic blood pressure: The force of blood in the arteries when the heart contracts. It is the highest reading when blood pressure is measured.
