Chronic hypertension classification
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Classification of Hypertension
Hypertension is considered to be present when a person's systolic blood pressure is consistently 140 mmHg or greater, and/or their diastolic blood pressure is consistently 90 mmHg or greater.[1] Recently, as of 2003, the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure[2] has defined blood pressure 120/80 mmHg to 139/89 mmHg as "prehypertension." Prehypertension is not a disease category; rather, it is a designation chosen to identify individuals at high risk of developing hypertension. The Mayo Clinic website specifies blood pressure is "normal if it's below 120/80" but that "some data indicate that 115/75 mm Hg should be the gold standard." In patients with diabetes mellitus or kidney disease studies have shown that blood pressure over 130/80 mmHg should be considered high and warrants further treatment. Even lower numbers are considered diagnostic using home blood pressure monitoring devices.
Blood Pressure | Systolic (mm Hg) | Diastolic (mm Hg) |
Optimal | < 120 | < 80 |
Normal | < 130 | < 85 |
High Normal | 130-139 | 85-89 |
Mild Hypertension | 140-159 | 90-99 |
Moderate Hypertension | 160-179 | 100-109 |
Severe Hypertension | 180-209 | 110-119 |
Very Severe Hypertension | > 210 | > 120 |