Which term denotes abnormally low blood pressure?

Which term denotes abnormally low blood pressure?

• A. Hypotension
• B. Hypertension
• C. Hypertrophy
• D. Infusion

Answer: (A)

Low blood pressure is described as hypotension. The prefix hypo- means below, and tension refers to arterial pressure created by the heartbeat. When pressure is too low to adequately perfuse organs, we call it hypotension. In adults, a systolic reading around 90 mmHg or lower is commonly considered low, and a notable drop from a patient’s baseline can indicate a problem such as shock. Hypertension means high blood pressure, which is the opposite of hypotension. Hypertrophy means abnormal enlargement of tissue or an organ, such as the heart muscle, which is a structural change rather than a blood pressure state. Infusion is the process of delivering fluids into the body, not a term for blood pressure.

Low blood pressure is described as hypotension. The prefix hypo- means below, and tension refers to arterial pressure created by the heartbeat. When pressure is too low to adequately perfuse organs, we call it hypotension. In adults, a systolic reading around 90 mmHg or lower is commonly considered low, and a notable drop from a patient’s baseline can indicate a problem such as shock.

Hypertension means high blood pressure, which is the opposite of hypotension. Hypertrophy means abnormal enlargement of tissue or an organ, such as the heart muscle, which is a structural change rather than a blood pressure state. Infusion is the process of delivering fluids into the body, not a term for blood pressure.