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PhrasesDescribing SymptomsHo la pressione alta.
A2

Ho la pressione alta.

I have high blood pressure.

Pronunciation

pres-SYO-ne AL-ta — stress on second syllable of 'pressione'. 'Alta' = high.

When to use it

Report hypertension to a doctor. Also say this if you are measuring at a pharmacy and the reading is high.

What it means

'Pressione alta' = high blood pressure (hypertension). 'Pressione bassa' = low blood pressure (hypotension). Italian blood pressure classification: normal <120/80, elevated 120-129/<80, Stage 1 hypertension 130-139/80-89, Stage 2 ≥140/90. 'Pressione arteriosa' is the full medical term — colloquially just 'pressione'.

Variations

La mia pressione è centoquaranta su novanta.

My blood pressure is one hundred and forty over ninety.

Give the exact reading — 140/90 is Stage 2 hypertension in Italian guidelines

Ho la pressione bassa e mi gira la testa.

I have low blood pressure and I feel dizzy.

Orthostatic hypotension — common, especially in summer and when standing quickly

Prendo farmaci per la pressione ma non si abbassa.

I take medications for blood pressure but it is not going down.

Uncontrolled hypertension despite medication — needs medical review

Mini Dialogue

— Ho la pressione alta. Ho misurato centoquarantadue su novantadue. — Da quanto ha questi valori? — Da qualche mese. Sto cercando di ridurre il sale. — Bene. Ma con questi valori serve anche un farmaco. — Non volevo prendere medicine. — Capisco. Ma l'ipertensione non trattata fa danni al cuore e ai reni.

— I have high blood pressure. I measured one hundred and forty-two over ninety-two. — How long have you had these values? — For a few months. I have been trying to reduce salt. — Good. But with these values, medication is also needed. — I did not want to take medication. — I understand. But untreated hypertension damages the heart and kidneys.

Cultural Note

Hypertension ('ipertensione arteriosa') affects about 30% of Italian adults. Italy has high rates of sodium consumption (from prosciutto, salami, cheese, canned foods, pizza) — a major contributing factor. The Italian Society of Hypertension ('SIIA') follows ESC/ESH guidelines. Italian pharmacies offer free blood pressure checks — an important public health service for catching undetected hypertension.