1. How is hypertension defined and classified?
The Eighth Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (Joint National Committee 8), published in 2014, continues to classify hypertension by the degree of blood pressure (BP) elevation ( Table 62.1A and B ). The measurement must be based on the average of at least two seated measurements on each of two or more office visits. For children, hypertension is defined as systolic or diastolic BP greater than the 95th percentile of BP for a given age, height, and gender, on repeat measurement.
Table 62.1A.
Classification for Adults 18 Years or Older with Elevated Blood Pressure
| BP Category | SBP | DBP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | <120 mm Hg | and | <80 mm Hg |
| Elevated | 120–129 mm Hg | and | <80 mm Hg |
| Hypertension | |||
| Stage 1 | 130–139 mm Hg | or | 80–89 mm Hg |
| Stage 2 | 140–159 mm Hg | or | 90–99 mm Hg |
| Stage 3 | ≥160 mm Hg | or | ≥100 mm Hg |
BP, Blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; SBP, systolic blood pressure.
Table 62.1B.
Classification for Adults 18 Years or Older with Elevated Blood Pressure
| Hypertension Stage | SBP | DBP |
|---|---|---|
| Prehypertension | 120–139 mm Hg | Or 80–89 mm Hg |
| Stage I | 140–159 mm Hg | Or 90–99 mm Hg |
| Stage II | ≥160 mm Hg | Or ≥100 mm Hg |
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