What do we call the state of high blood pressure?

Hypertension is the medical term used to describe a condition characterized by consistently high blood pressure in the arteries. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is expressed as two numbers: systolic pressure (the pressure in your blood vessels when the heart beats) over diastolic pressure (the pressure in your blood vessels when the heart is at rest between beats). When these numbers reach higher than normal levels, often defined as 130/80 mmHg or above, it indicates hypertension.

Hypertension can lead to various health issues, including heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage, making early detection and management critical. Unlike hypotension, which refers to low blood pressure, hypertension signifies that the heart and blood vessels are under excessive strain, necessitating health interventions and lifestyle modifications to lower the risk of complications.

Cardiomyopathy pertains to diseases of the heart muscle, while arrhythmia refers to irregular heartbeats. Both are related to heart function but do not define high blood pressure.