Hypertension is defined as blood pressure reaching which threshold?

• A. 140/90 and over.
• B. 120/80.
• C. 130/85.
• D. 160/100.

Answer: (A)

Hypertension is defined by consistently elevated arterial pressure, specifically a systolic pressure of 140 mmHg or higher or a diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg or higher, measured on separate occasions. Blood pressure can vary with activity, stress, and time of day, so a single high reading isn’t enough to label hypertension; confirmation across visits or with home monitoring is typical. This threshold marks the point at which blood pressure begins to carry increased risk of cardiovascular and end-organ damage, prompting consideration of lifestyle changes and possible medications. Normal is generally below 120/80, and values like 120–129/80–89 are not hypertension by this standard, while 160/100 or higher indicates more severe elevations but still falls under the hypertensive range defined by the threshold.