Q. What is high blood pressure, and how is it defined medically?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common medical condition characterized by elevated blood pressure levels within the circulatory system. It is a chronic health issue that affects a significant portion of the population. Medically, high blood pressure is defined as the force of blood against the walls of the arteries consistently exceeding the normal range.
Specifically, high blood pressure is typically defined using two key numerical values: systolic and diastolic blood pressure. These values are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and represent the pressure in the arteries during two different phases of the heartbeat.
1. Systolic Blood Pressure: This is the higher of the two values and represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts or beats. It is the maximum force exerted on the arterial walls.
2. Diastolic Blood Pressure: This is the lower value and indicates the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats, when the heart is at rest or in the relaxation phase.
The standard unit for measuring blood pressure is written as systolic/diastolic mmHg. Normal blood pressure for adults is typically defined as 120/80 mmHg, where 120 mmHg represents the systolic pressure, and 80 mmHg represents the diastolic pressure. Hypertension is medically defined as having consistently elevated blood pressure levels, often categorized into different stages based on these numerical values.
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) provide widely recognized guidelines for classifying blood pressure levels:
1. Normal Blood Pressure: Systolic <120>
2. Elevated Blood Pressure: Systolic 120-129 mmHg and Diastolic <80>
3. Stage 1 Hypertension: Systolic 130-139 mmHg or Diastolic 80-89 mmHg.
4. Stage 2 Hypertension: Systolic ?140 mmHg or Diastolic ?90 mmHg.
The medical definition of high blood pressure is significant because it serves as a crucial parameter for diagnosing the condition and determining appropriate interventions. It's important to note that high blood pressure often doesn't present noticeable symptoms in its early stages, making regular blood pressure monitoring a critical tool for its early detection and management. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to various health complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, and more, underscoring the significance of its medical definition and management.
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