Classification of Hypertension
Hypertension is classified as
Primary or essential hypertension which accounts for more than 90% of cases of hypertension is diagnosed in the absence of an identifiable secondary cause.1 Primary hypertension is more common in adolescents and adults, and has multiple risk factors. Secondary hypertension indicates that the high Blood pressure is a consequence of another condition such as a kidney disease or adrenal disease.
The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee of Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC VII) recommends the following classification of BP for adults above 18 years:2
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Systolic blood pressure
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Normal Less than 120 mm/hg
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Pre hypertension 120 to 139 mm/hg
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High BP Stage 1 140 to 159 mm/hg
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High BP Stage 2 160 or higher
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Diastolic blood pressure
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Normal Less than 80 mm/hg
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Pre hypertension 80 to 89 mm/hg
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High BP Stage 1 90 to 99 mm/hg
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High BP Stage 2 100 or higher
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Next page: Risk factors for high blood pressure
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: April 14, 2012