What is hypertension (high blood pressure)?

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a chronic increase in blood pressure above the normal range. Blood pressure is the pressure of the blood against the walls of the arteries. Optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg. High blood pressure is a condition in which blood pressure levels are consistently above the normal range. Blood pressures of 120–139/80–89 mm Hg are considered pre-hypertension. People with this condition are likely to develop high blood pressure unless they take steps to manage their numbers. Blood pressure is considered high if it is 140/90 mm Hg or higher. High blood pressure increases the risk for heart attack, angina, stroke, kidney failure, and peripheral artery disease. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of developing fatty deposits in arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis. The risk of heart failure also increases due to the increased workload that high blood pressure places on the heart.

Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. Blood pressure is how forcefully the blood bangs against the walls of the arteries. With high blood pressure, the heart pounds faster than it should to send nutrients and oxygen through the blood vessels to the cells. Continuous high blood pressure makes the heart work harder because the artery walls thicken, which reduces blood flow.

Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. It does not refer to being tense, nervous, or hyperactive. You can be calm and relaxed, and still have high blood pressure. A single, elevated blood pressure reading does not mean that you have hypertension, but it is a sign that further observation might be required.

Hypertension is a condition present when blood flows through the blood vessels with a force greater than normal. It is also called high blood pressure. Hypertension can strain the heart, damage blood vessels, and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney problems, and death.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition in which the force of blood against artery walls is too strong. Over time, high blood pressure can damage the arteries, heart, and kidneys and can lead to heart disease and stroke.

High blood pressure can be treated effectively with lifestyle changes and medicines that can reduce the risk of complications.

Blood pressure readings consist of an upper number and a lower number (such as 120 over 90 or 120/90). The upper number is systolic blood pressure. The lower number is diastolic blood pressure. Blood pressure readings are measured in units called millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Normal blood pressure is 119 mm Hg systolic over 79 mm Hg diastolic or below.

A person has high blood pressure (hypertension) when either or both of the following are present:

• The top number (systolic) is 140 mm Hg or higher.
• The bottom number (diastolic) is 90 mm Hg or higher.

Hypertension is the medical term for someone who has a persistently elevated blood pressure. Blood pressure is generated by the heart as it pumps blood through the circulatory system. Because the cycle of a heart beats includes contraction (squeezing) and relaxation (resting) of the heart muscle, two pressures are measured by the blood pressure cuff. The first is the systolic pressure which the top number generated during the peak contraction of the heart and the second is the diastolic or bottom number generated when the heart relaxes.

Having adequate blood pressure is vital to life. Because of the various stresses the body experiences (i.e. running, standing, eating or sleeping) blood pressure constantly changes to adapt to the new environment. Without this rapid response humans could not function. So if you were to plot out blood pressure measurement over time in an individual it would look like the graph of the stock market with a saw tooth jagged progression. Therefore it is the averages or mean blood pressure overtime that best predicts risk and defines hypertension (high blood pressure).

So generally if two or more resting blood pressures done when the person has sat for 10 minutes and is relaxed is elevated than by definition the person has hypertension. Hypertension for most people is defined as a systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure great than or equal to 90 mmHg.

However the risk of hypertension follows a continuum. This means that even within the normal recommended ranges the high normal blood pressures have more strokes and heart attacks than the lower range. This observation has led experts to set the target for hypertension lower for diabetics and patients with renal disease.

If you are concern about your risk of hypertension and where your target numbers should be you should consult your physician or cardiologist. You can also go to my website and click on the ABC or the AHA icon to learn more. Thank you.

Hypertension is a term used to describe High Blood Pressure.

Blood pressure readings are usually given as two numbers -- for example, 120 over 80 (written as 120/80 mmHg). One or both of these numbers can be too high.

The top number is called the systolic blood pressure, and the bottom number is called the diastolic blood pressure.

• Normal blood pressure is when your blood pressure is lower than 120/80 mmHg most of the time.
• High blood pressure (hypertension) is when your blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or above most of the time.
• If your blood pressure numbers are 120/80 or higher, but below 140/90, it is called pre-hypertension.

Blood pressure above 140 mm Hg systolic and/or 90 mm Hg diastolic is considered hypertensive. There are 2 stages of hypertension. Stage 1 hypertension is systolic blood pressure between 140 to 159 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure 90 to 99 mm Hg. Stage 2 hypertension is blood pressure greater than 160 mm Hg systolic and/or 100 mm Hg diastolic. When systolic and diastolic pressures fall into different categories, your healthcare professional should select the higher category to classify your blood pressure. For example, 160/80 mm Hg would be considered stage 2 hypertension.

If you are hypertensive and have begun receiving initial medication therapy, you will probably need to return for follow-up and adjustment of medications once a month until your blood pressure goal is reached. More frequent visits may be necessary for those with stage 2 hypertension.

Hypertension is elevated blood pressure measured on two separate occassions. It is classified as primary or secondary.  Primary hypertension is also termed essential hypertension.  Secondary hypertension is due to other factors such as hormonal excess, kidney artery disease, etc.