Based on the 2017 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines, how would you classify a blood pressure reading of 125/82 mmHg?

Based on the 2017 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines, how would you classify a blood pressure reading of 125/82 mmHg?

• A. Stage 1
• B. Normal
• C. Elevated
• D. Stage 2

Answer: (A)

When classifying blood pressure in the 2017 AHA/ACC guidelines, you look at both numbers and take the higher category they fall into. A reading of 125/82 mmHg has a systolic value in the 120–129 range (which would be labeled Elevated) and a diastolic value in the 80–89 range (Stage 1). Since the diastolic is in the higher category, the overall classification is Stage 1 hypertension. To recap the ranges: normal is below 120/80; elevated is systolic 120–129 with diastolic under 80; Stage 1 is systolic 130–139 or diastolic 80–89; Stage 2 is systolic 140+ or diastolic 90+. In this case, the diastolic reading drives the Stage 1 classification.

When classifying blood pressure in the 2017 AHA/ACC guidelines, you look at both numbers and take the higher category they fall into. A reading of 125/82 mmHg has a systolic value in the 120–129 range (which would be labeled Elevated) and a diastolic value in the 80–89 range (Stage 1). Since the diastolic is in the higher category, the overall classification is Stage 1 hypertension.

To recap the ranges: normal is below 120/80; elevated is systolic 120–129 with diastolic under 80; Stage 1 is systolic 130–139 or diastolic 80–89; Stage 2 is systolic 140+ or diastolic 90+. In this case, the diastolic reading drives the Stage 1 classification.