高血压

• Pinyin: gāo xuè yā
• Hanzi breakdown: 高 (high, elevated); 血 = 皿 + 丿 (vessel + drop — blood); 压 = 厂 + 土 (cliff + earth — press, pressure)

Meaning

Hypertension; high blood pressure; a chronic medical condition in which arterial blood pressure is persistently elevated.

A major public health concern in China, especially among older adults and those with high-stress lifestyles. Often associated with diet (high salt intake), stress, and lack of exercise. 原发性高血压 is essential hypertension; 继发性高血压 is secondary hypertension.

Examples

1. 父亲确诊高血压已有十年，现在每天坚持按时服药，并严格控制盐分摄入。 My father was diagnosed with high blood pressure ten years ago; now he takes his medication on time every day and strictly limits his salt intake.
2. 长期处于高压工作环境中，容易引发高血压、失眠等慢性健康问题，不可掉以轻心。 Spending a long time in a high-pressure work environment can easily trigger chronic health problems like high blood pressure and insomnia, so it’s not something to take lightly.
3. 这项研究表明，规律的有氧运动可以有效降低高血压患者的收缩压和舒张压。 This study shows that regular aerobic exercise can effectively lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people with hypertension.

Usage Guide

Context: medicine, health, lifestyle

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 定期测量血压、保持健康饮食习惯，是预防高血压最直接有效的生活方式干预手段。(Measuring blood pressure regularly and maintaining healthy dietary habits are the most direct and effective lifestyle interventions for preventing hypertension.)
• 医生建议高血压患者在服药的同时，配合低盐饮食与适度运动，以达到稳定血压的目标。(Doctors recommend that hypertension patients combine medication with a low-sodium diet and moderate exercise to achieve stable blood pressure control.)

Don't Say

• 我今天高血压了 — 高血压 is a diagnosed chronic condition; use 血压偏高 or 血压有点高 to describe a temporary elevation

Origin & History

高 (high) + 血 (blood) + 压 (pressure)

Cultural Context

Generation: Middle-aged and older

Social background: Universal