Classification
A recent classification recommends blood pressure criteria for defining normal blood pressure, prehypertension, hypertension (stages I and II), and isolated systolic hypertension, which is a common occurrence among the elderly. These readings are based on the average of seated blood pressure readings that were properly measured during 2 or more office visits. In individuals older than 50 years, hypertension is considered to be present when a person's blood pressure is consistently at least 140 mmHg systolic or 90 mmHg diastolic. Patients with blood pressures over 130/80 mmHg along with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, or kidney disease require further treatment.
| Classification | Systolic pressure | Diastolic pressure | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| mmHg | kPa (kN/m2) | mmHg | kPa (kN/m2) | |
| Normal | 90–119 | 12–15.9 | 60–79 | 8.0–10.5 |
| Prehypertension | 120–139 | 16.1–18.5 | 81–89 | 10.8–11.9 |
| Stage 1 | 140–159 | 18.7–21.2 | 90–99 | 12.0–13.2 |
| Stage 2 | ≥160 | ≥21.3 | ≥100 | ≥13.3 |
| Isolated systolic hypertension |
≥140 | ≥18.7 | <90 | <12.0 |
| Source: American Heart Association (2003). | ||||
Resistant hypertension is defined as the failure to reduce blood pressure to the appropriate level after taking a three-drug regimen. Guidelines for treating resistant hypertension have been published in the UK, and US.
Read more about this topic: Essential Hypertension