What would you measure to determine if a patient is hypertensive?

To determine if a patient is hypertensive, the primary measurement required is blood pressure. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, specifically refers to the force exerted by blood against the walls of the arteries. This condition is diagnosed by measuring blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer, which provides readings in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). A reading of 130/80 mmHg or higher is typically regarded as hypertensive.

While heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature can provide important information about a patient's overall health, they do not indicate hypertension. The heart rate may be increased or decreased for various reasons that are unrelated to blood pressure levels. Similarly, the respiratory rate and body temperature are not direct indicators of blood pressure status. Therefore, blood pressure measurement is the definitive method for assessing hypertension.