What is the difference between hypertension and hypotension?

Hypertension means high blood pressure, defined as a systolic reading of 130 or higher or diastolic of 80 or higher on repeated measurements. The term combines hyper meaning excessive and tension meaning pressure. Hypotension means low blood pressure, generally a systolic reading below 90 or diastolic below 60. The term combines hypo meaning below normal and tension. Hypertension is called the silent killer because it often has no symptoms while damaging blood vessels, heart, kidneys, and brain over years.