Home Health Aide Practice Exam

The medical term for high blood pressure is hypertension. This condition occurs when the pressure in the arteries is consistently elevated, which can lead to various health issues over time, such as heart disease, stroke, and other complications. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is expressed with two numbers: systolic pressure (the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart beats) over diastolic pressure (the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats). When this pressure is higher than the normal range, it indicates hypertension.

In contrast, hypotension refers to low blood pressure, which can lead to symptoms such as dizziness or fainting. Cardiovascular disease is a broader term that encompasses various heart and blood vessel conditions, including hypertension but also involves other issues not limited to blood pressure alone. Arrhythmia refers to problems with the heart’s rhythm, which is unrelated to blood pressure but rather to the timing of heartbeats. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurately identifying and addressing various health conditions.