What is the medical term for elevated arterial blood pressure?

Hypertension is the medical term used to describe elevated arterial blood pressure. It signifies a condition where the force of the blood against the artery walls is consistently too high, which can lead to various health problems, including heart disease and stroke. Understanding this condition is vital for health professionals, including adjusters in the healthcare field, as it plays a critical role in evaluating the medical status of clients, especially in cases related to motor vehicle accidents or workplace injuries.

While other terms may relate to aspects of cardiovascular health, they do not refer specifically to elevated blood pressure. For instance, hyperlipidemia denotes high levels of fats (lipids) in the blood, arteriosclerosis refers to the thickening and hardening of arterial walls, and bradycardia indicates an abnormally slow heart rate. Each of these conditions is separate from hypertension and highlights the importance of precise terminology in medical contexts.