Hypertension or high blood pressure is
a medical condition wherein the blood
pressure is elevated beyond what is normal
all the time.
While it is formally called arterial
hypertension, the word "hypertension"
without a qualifier usually refers to
arterial hypertension.
Persistent hypertension is one of the
risk factors for strokes, heart
attacks, heart failure and arterial
aneurysm, and is a leading cause of
chronic renal failure.
Presently, finding sustained blood
pressure of 140/90 mmHg or above,
measured on both arms is generally
regarded as high. Because blood
pressure readings in many individuals
are highly variable, the diagnosis of
hypertension should be made only after
noting an average elevation on two or
more readings on two or more occasions
unless the elevations are severe or
associated with compelling indications
such as diabetes, chronic kidney
disease, heart failure, after a heart
attack or stroke, and high coronary
disease risk.
Prehypertension.
You might hear
from you rdoctor that you have
‘prehypertension’.
This is not a category of high blood
pressure itself, but an indication that
you are at a rather higher risk or
developing hypertension.
In patients with diabetes or kidney
disease studies have shown that blood
pressure over 130/80 mmHg should be
considered a risk factor and may
warrant treatment. Even lower numbers
are considered diagnostic using home
blood pressure monitoring
devices.