When is a diagnosis of hypertension considered definite?

A diagnosis of hypertension is considered definite when it requires consistent evidence of elevated blood pressure readings rather than symptoms or treatment status alone. In this context, the fact that a driver is on anti-hypertensive medications indicates that they have been diagnosed with hypertension, as these medications are prescribed specifically to manage high blood pressure. This management suggests that their blood pressure had previously been significantly high enough that medical intervention was necessary.

Symptomatic indications like dizziness or heart palpitations do not confirm a diagnosis of hypertension, as these can occur for various reasons and do not inherently indicate high blood pressure. Additionally, having consistently normal blood pressure readings would indicate the absence of hypertension rather than a definite diagnosis. Therefore, the presence of treatment through medication serves as the clearest indication of a diagnosed condition of hypertension.