Which term describes abnormally high blood pressure?

• A. Arrhythmia
• B. Crackles
• C. Hypertension
• D. Ronchi

Answer: (C)

Hypertension is the term for abnormally high blood pressure. Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart beats (systolic) and when the heart rests between beats (diastolic). When these pressures are persistently elevated, it places extra strain on the cardiovascular system and increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and other problems. Diagnosis usually requires repeated measurements on different occasions using proper technique, with thresholds that vary by guideline but commonly consider values like around 130/80 or 140/90 as elevated.

Arrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm, not to the level of arterial pressure. Crackles are abnormal lung sounds indicating fluid in the airways or alveoli, often seen with heart failure or pneumonia. Ronchi are coarse, snoring-like sounds due to secretions in larger airways. None of these describe high blood pressure.