What term describes elevated blood pressure?

• A. hypertension
• B. hypotension
• C. normotension
• D. vascular resistance

Answer: (A)

The term that describes elevated blood pressure is hypertension. Hypertension refers to the condition where blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated, generally defined as having a blood pressure reading of 130/80 mm Hg or higher. It can lead to serious health issues, including heart disease and stroke, as it increases the workload on the heart and blood vessels.

Understanding the condition is critical for monitoring and maintaining cardiovascular health. The other terms relate to blood pressure but signify different conditions: hypotension denotes low blood pressure, normotension refers to normal blood pressure levels, and vascular resistance pertains to the resistance that blood vessels provide against blood flow, which can influence blood pressure but is not itself a measure of blood pressure.