How is hypertension defined?

Hypertension is defined specifically as a consistent elevation of systemic arterial blood pressure. This means that the arterial pressure, which is the force exerted by circulating blood upon the walls of blood vessels, remains above the normal range over time. Blood pressure is typically measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is recorded with two numbers: systolic pressure (the pressure during heartbeats) and diastolic pressure (the pressure between heartbeats). A diagnosis of hypertension is made when these pressure levels consistently exceed established thresholds, which can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and other health complications.

Other options present various physiological parameters, but they do not pertain to hypertension. Blood sugar levels relate to diabetes, heart rate pertains to the frequency of heartbeats, and body temperature deals with thermoregulation. These factors are crucial in their contexts but are not relevant to the definition of hypertension.