High blood pressure is medically referred to as what?

High blood pressure is medically referred to as hypertension. This condition is characterized by consistently elevated blood pressure in the arteries, which can lead to various health issues if not managed properly. Hypertension is often known as a silent killer because it may not present noticeable symptoms while still causing significant damage to the cardiovascular system over time.

Understanding hypertension is crucial within the context of assisted living administration because residents may have this condition and may require proper monitoring and management. It is important for administrators and caregivers to recognize the signs of hypertension and ensure that residents are receiving appropriate care, including medication management, dietary guidance, and regular health check-ups.

In contrast, cardiomyopathy refers to diseases of the heart muscle that can affect its size, shape, and thickness, but is not synonymous with high blood pressure. Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls, which can lead to heart disease but does not specifically define high blood pressure. Arrhythmia refers to an irregular heartbeat, which may occur in patients with hypertension but is not itself a definition of high blood pressure.