Origin: Latin suffix -sion
Hypertension has 2 different meanings across 1 category:
a common disorder in which blood pressure remains abnormally high (a reading of 140/90 mm Hg or greater)
"The doctor diagnosed hypertension after his blood pressure readings consistently stayed at 150 over 95."
The disease or disorder of abnormally high blood pressure.
"The doctor diagnosed me with hypertension after my routine check-up showed consistently elevated blood pressure readings."
In plain English: Hypertension is when your blood pressure stays too high for a long time, putting extra strain on your heart and arteries.
"The doctor told him that his hypertension requires daily medication to manage properly."
Usage: Hypertension refers specifically to the medical condition characterized by persistently elevated blood pressure, often without causing noticeable symptoms in its early stages. It is distinct from temporary spikes in blood pressure caused by stress or exercise and requires long-term management rather than immediate treatment for every occurrence.
The word hypertension comes from combining the prefix hyper- with tension, literally meaning "excessive pressure." It entered English to describe a medical condition where blood pressure is consistently too high.