National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Senior Fitness Specialist (SFS) Practice Test

The condition characterized by a systolic blood pressure over 140 mm Hg is known as hypertension. Hypertension is defined as high blood pressure that is persistently elevated above normal levels, which generally includes a systolic reading of 140 mm Hg or higher and/or a diastolic reading of 90 mm Hg or higher. It’s crucial to recognize that hypertension can lead to serious health complications, including heart disease and stroke, if not managed properly.

In contrast, hypotension refers to abnormally low blood pressure and is not related to elevated readings. Normotension indicates normal blood pressure ranges, while isolated systolic hypertension is a specific condition where only the systolic pressure is elevated, typically in older adults, but it is not synonymous with the broader classification of hypertension. Therefore, hypertension captures the broader category of high blood pressure, making it the correct answer in this context.