When is a patient considered to have hypertension?

A patient is considered to have hypertension when their blood pressure consistently exceeds 140/90 mmHg. This threshold is established by guidelines from organizations such as the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, which define hypertension as elevated blood pressure that can lead to increased risk for cardiovascular disease and other complications.

The categorization is important for determining appropriate interventions and treatment options to manage a patient's blood pressure and overall health. Management may include lifestyle changes, medication, or both, depending on the level of blood pressure and other health factors.

Other options reflect different categories of blood pressure, such as normal or elevated, but they do not meet the criteria for hypertension. Blood pressure readings below 120/80 mmHg fall within the normal range, while readings ranging from 120-129 systolic and less than 80 diastolic are classified as elevated, indicating a risk for developing hypertension in the future but not constituting the condition itself. Blood pressure readings at or above 160/100 mmHg indicate a more severe type of hypertension and may be classified as stage 2 hypertension, but the entry criterion for identifying hypertension lies at the 140/90 mmHg mark.