What condition is characterized by abnormally high blood pressure?

Hypertension is the medical term for abnormally high blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and has two values: systolic pressure, which measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, and diastolic pressure, which measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats. A diagnosis of hypertension typically occurs when the blood pressure readings consistently exceed 130/80 mm Hg.

This condition is significant because it can lead to various health complications, such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems. Understanding hypertension is crucial for both prevention and management through lifestyle changes, medication, and diet. In contrast, hypotension refers to abnormally low blood pressure, blood pressure dysregulation suggests a broader category without specific definitions, and prehypertension indicates blood pressure that is higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as hypertension.