Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Blood Pressure in Spanish
Presión arterial · noun · preh-see-OHN ar-teh-ree-AHL
The Spanish term for blood pressure is 'presión arterial,' literally meaning 'arterial pressure.' In Spain, 'tensión arterial' is equally common. Both phrases are feminine and used in medical conversations, pharmacy visits, and health discussions throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
Presión arterial is pronounced preh-see-OHN ar-teh-ree-AHL. The stress falls on the last syllable of each word, following standard Spanish stress rules for words ending in consonants.
El médico me dijo que mi presión arterial está un poco alta.
The doctor told me that my blood pressure is a little high.
blood pressure in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for blood pressure, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| presión arterial | blood pressure | preh-see-OHN ar-teh-ree-AHL | Default, widely understood |
| tensión arterial | blood pressure | Spain, commonly used in medical settings |
How Native Speakers Use Presión arterial
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Doctor visit
Vamos a tomarle la presión arterial antes de recetarle el medicamento.
We're going to take your blood pressure before prescribing the medication.
Standard medical procedure phrasing.
Health concern
La presión arterial alta puede causar problemas del corazón.
High blood pressure can cause heart problems.
Discussing cardiovascular health risks.
Pharmacy visit
¿Pueden medirme la tensión arterial aquí en la farmacia?
Can you measure my blood pressure here at the pharmacy?
In Spain, pharmacies often offer blood pressure readings.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Presión arterial
Literal translation
Incorrect: Mi presión de sangre es alta.
Correct: Mi presión arterial es alta.
Spanish does not say 'presión de sangre' (literal blood pressure). The correct medical term is 'presión arterial' or 'tensión arterial.'
Missing article
Incorrect: Necesito revisar presión arterial.
Correct: Necesito revisar la presión arterial.
In Spanish, the definite article 'la' is required before presión arterial in most sentences.
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Common Questions About blood pressure in Spanish
- What is the difference between presión arterial and tensión arterial?
- Both terms refer to blood pressure and are medically interchangeable — presión arterial is standard in Latin America, while tensión arterial is more commonly used in Spain.
- How do you say 'high blood pressure' in Spanish?
- High blood pressure is 'presión arterial alta' or 'hipertensión,' with the latter being the formal medical term used in clinical diagnoses.
- How do you say 'to check blood pressure' in Spanish?
- The most common phrases are 'tomar la presión' (to take the pressure) and 'medir la presión arterial' (to measure blood pressure), both widely used in medical settings.