What condition is characterized by elevated blood pressure?

Hypertension is a condition specifically defined by elevated blood pressure in the arteries, which can result in various health issues if left untreated. Blood pressure is measured as the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels, and hypertension occurs when this pressure is consistently too high. This condition can lead to serious complications, including heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage.

Understanding the other conditions clarifies why hypertension is the best choice. Hypotension refers to low blood pressure, which is the opposite of hypertension. Ischemia involves a reduction in blood flow to tissues, often due to blockages, and while it can be related to blood pressure issues, it does not define the condition of elevated blood pressure itself. An aneurysm refers to an abnormal bulge in a blood vessel wall, which can be a consequence of high blood pressure rather than its definition. Therefore, hypertension is the accurate choice due to its direct relation to elevated blood pressure.