What is hypertension?...

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.