What does a blood pressure reading of 140/90 indicate?

A blood pressure reading of 140/90 is classified as Hypertension Stage 1. This classification is based on guidelines set by health organizations, which define hypertension stages primarily according to systolic and diastolic pressures.

In the context of the readings, the first number (systolic) indicates the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, while the second number (diastolic) indicates the pressure in the arteries when the heart is resting between beats. With a systolic reading of 140 mmHg and a diastolic reading of 90 mmHg, it falls into the range that signifies Stage 1 hypertension.

Hypertension is typically categorized as follows:

• Normal: Less than 120/80 mmHg

• Elevated (previously called prehypertension): 120-129 systolic and less than 80 diastolic

• Hypertension Stage 1: 130-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic

• Hypertension Stage 2: 140 or higher systolic or 90 or higher diastolic

Given the reading of 140/90, it clearly indicates a diagnosis of Hypertension Stage 1. Understanding these classifications is essential for recognizing when intervention may be necessary to