Hypertension is the medical term used to describe a condition of elevated blood pressure. It is characterized by an increase in the force of blood against the walls of the arteries. This increase in blood pressure can lead to various health complications if left untreated, such as cardiovascular diseases, kidney problems, and stroke.
Option 1, increase in heart rate, is not the correct definition of hypertension. Heart rate refers to the number of times the heart beats per minute, and while hypertension can sometimes be associated with an increased heart rate, it is not the defining characteristic.
Option 2, decrease in heart rate, is also not the correct definition. A decrease in heart rate is known as bradycardia, which is different from hypertension.
Option 3, decrease in blood pressure, is incorrect. Hypertension is the opposite of a decrease in blood pressure.