Chronic hypertension in adults is typically diagnosed at which blood pressure?

Chronic hypertension, commonly referred to as high blood pressure, is diagnosed based on specific thresholds outlined in clinical guidelines. The accepted standard for diagnosing hypertension in adults is a sustained blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher, which falls under the classification of Stage 1 hypertension according to the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines.

A reading of 140/90 mmHg indicates that the systolic blood pressure (the first number, representing the pressure in the arteries during heartbeats) is at a level where intervention may be considered necessary to reduce cardiovascular risk. This particular threshold is significant because sustained elevations at or above this level can lead to long-term health complications such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage.

In contrast, the other blood pressure values provided do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of chronic hypertension. A reading of 120/80 mmHg is considered normal, while 130/85 mmHg is categorized as elevated, yet not high enough for a diagnosis of hypertension. Additionally, a reading of 150/95 mmHg indicates Stage 2 hypertension, which is more severe than the threshold level but does not represent the initial point of hypertension diagnosis.

Therefore, the recognition of 140/90