MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Hypertension

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Hypertension

Hypertension is a disorder characterized by consistently high blood pressure. Generally, high blood pressure consists of systolic blood pressure (the "top" number, which represents the pressure generated when the heart beats) higher than 140, or diastolic blood pressure (the "bottom" number, which represents the pressure in the vessels when the heart is at rest) over 90.

Update Date: 1/24/2002

Updated by: A.D.A.M. Medical Illustration Team

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