What is hypertension?

Hypertension: Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. A reading higher than 140/90 is considered hypertension, but 120/80 is considered a desirable blood pressure. 120 refers to the pressure within the arteries when the heart contracts and 80 is the pressure within the arteries when the heart muscle relaxes. A sphygmomanometer is the instrument used to measure blood pressure.

BP > 130/80 mm Hg: Hypertension is when a person’s blood pressure is regularly too high. High blood pressure is defined as greater than 130 systolic (the number above the dash) or 80 diastolic (the number below). Obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet may contribute to hypertension. Keeping blood pressure below 120/80 is important because it prevents the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.