What is the term for blood pressure that is higher than 180/120 mmHg?

The term for blood pressure that exceeds 180/120 mmHg is classified as a hypertension crisis. This level of blood pressure indicates a severe and potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. A hypertension crisis can lead to serious complications, such as stroke, heart attack, or kidney damage, due to the sudden strain it places on the cardiovascular system.

Understanding this classification is crucial, as it helps healthcare professionals identify situations that demand urgent intervention, ensuring patient safety and effective treatment. The other options represent different blood pressure categories. Normal blood pressure is typically around 120/80 mmHg, while hypotension refers to abnormally low blood pressure. Prehypertension describes blood pressure readings that are above normal but not high enough to be classified as hypertension. Thus, recognizing the thresholds and implications of dangerous blood pressure readings is essential in medical practice.