What BP range defines hypertension stage 2 (moderate)?

What BP range defines hypertension stage 2 (moderate)?

• A. Systolic 140-159 mmHg or diastolic 90-99 mmHg
• B. Systolic 120-129 mmHg and/or diastolic 80-84 mmHg
• C. Systolic 130-139 mmHg or diastolic 85-89 mmHg
• D. Systolic ≥160 mmHg or diastolic ≥100 mmHg

Answer: (A)

Understanding how hypertension is staged by blood pressure ranges helps you see why this choice fits as moderate stage 2. Hypertension levels are defined by systolic and diastolic values, and a person is placed into the stage whose range matches their readings (using the higher category if one number sits in a higher band). In this classification, moderate stage 2 hypertension is defined by a systolic reading in the 140–159 range or a diastolic reading in the 90–99 range. That means if either measurement falls within those numbers, the situation is considered Stage 2, signaling more significant blood pressure elevation than normal or prehypertensive ranges and warranting closer management or treatment. The other ranges correspond to either lower levels (such as readings that fall into prehypertension or elevated categories) or higher-severity categories that reflect more dangerous blood pressure levels, so they aren’t classified as moderate stage 2 in this framework.

Understanding how hypertension is staged by blood pressure ranges helps you see why this choice fits as moderate stage 2. Hypertension levels are defined by systolic and diastolic values, and a person is placed into the stage whose range matches their readings (using the higher category if one number sits in a higher band).

In this classification, moderate stage 2 hypertension is defined by a systolic reading in the 140–159 range or a diastolic reading in the 90–99 range. That means if either measurement falls within those numbers, the situation is considered Stage 2, signaling more significant blood pressure elevation than normal or prehypertensive ranges and warranting closer management or treatment.

The other ranges correspond to either lower levels (such as readings that fall into prehypertension or elevated categories) or higher-severity categories that reflect more dangerous blood pressure levels, so they aren’t classified as moderate stage 2 in this framework.