CardivoCardivo guides
What is considered high blood pressure? Hypertension (HTN) explained
Key takeaways
- Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. Yes — they're the same thing.
- HTN and HBP are common abbreviations for hypertension / high blood pressure.
- In the US, hypertension starts at 130/80 mm Hg (AHA/ACC stage 1).
- Pulmonary, intracranial, portal, and ocular hypertension are different conditions that a home arm cuff can't measure.
Hypertension happens when the force of blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels is consistently too high. "Hyper" means above and "tension" refers to pressure — it has nothing to do with feeling tense or stressed. Nearly half of US adults have hypertension, and many don't know it.
Medical abbreviations: HTN, HBP, BP
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| HTN | Hypertension (the most common medical abbreviation on charts and lab notes) |
| HBP | High blood pressure |
| BP | Blood pressure |
| SBP / DBP | Systolic / diastolic blood pressure (top / bottom number) |
| mm Hg | Millimeters of mercury, the unit blood pressure is measured in |
| HTA | Hypertension in Spanish and French (hipertensión / hypertension artérielle) |
What is considered high blood pressure?
In the United States, the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology define hypertension as:
- Stage 1: systolic 130–139 or diastolic 80–89 mm Hg
- Stage 2: systolic 140 or higher or diastolic 90 or higher
- Severe: higher than 180 and/or 120 — with symptoms, call 911
Some other countries and organizations still use 140/90 as the starting point, which is why you may see different numbers online. Diagnosis is based on several readings over time, ideally including home readings. See the full blood pressure readings chart.
Is hypertension the same as high blood pressure?
Yes. "Hypertension" is the clinical term and "high blood pressure" is the everyday term. When a doctor writes HTN in your chart, it means you've been diagnosed with high blood pressure.
Not to be confused with…
Several conditions share the word "hypertension" but describe high pressure somewhere other than your arm arteries. A home cuff — or any phone app — can't detect them:
- Pulmonary hypertension: high pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs, which makes the right side of the heart work harder (NHLBI).
- Intracranial hypertension (including idiopathic intracranial hypertension): raised pressure around the brain.
- Portal hypertension: high pressure in the vein that carries blood to the liver, often linked to liver disease.
- Ocular hypertension: higher-than-normal pressure inside the eye.
If you've been told you have one of these, follow your specialist's advice.
Why it matters
Hypertension usually has no symptoms, but over time it raises the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease. The good news: it's measurable, and lifestyle changes and treatment work.
Keeping track with Cardivo
Cardivo keeps your cuff readings, heart rate, HRV, and mood on one timeline and turns them into a PDF for your doctor. It's a wellness journal, not a diagnostic device.
This guide is general wellness education based on the public sources below. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Cardivo is not a medical device. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911.
Frequently asked questions
What does HTN stand for in medical terms?
HTN is the standard medical abbreviation for hypertension, which means high blood pressure.
Is hypertension the same as high blood pressure?
Yes. Hypertension is the medical name for high blood pressure. HBP is another abbreviation for the same condition.
What blood pressure is considered hypertension?
In the US, hypertension starts at 130/80 mm Hg (stage 1). Stage 2 is 140/90 or higher. Some countries use 140/90 as the threshold.
Is pulmonary hypertension the same as high blood pressure?
No. Pulmonary hypertension is high pressure in the lung's blood vessels. It's a different condition and isn't measured with an arm cuff.
Sources
- American Heart Association — What is high blood pressure?
- American Heart Association — Understanding blood pressure readings
- NHLBI — Pulmonary hypertension