Which statement correctly defines the commonly recognized blood pressure categories?

• A. Normal <125/85; Elevated 125–129; Stage 1 130–139; Stage 2 ≥140 or ≥90.
• B. Normal <110/70; Elevated 110–119; Stage 1 120–129; Stage 2 ≥130.
• C. Normal <120/80; Elevated 120–129 with diastolic <80; Stage 1 130–139 or 80–89; Stage 2 ≥140 or ≥90.
• D. Normal <120/80; Elevated 120–129 with diastolic <85; Stage 1 130–139 or 80–89; Stage 2 ≥140 or ≥90.

Answer: (C)

Understanding blood pressure categories helps gauge cardiovascular risk and guide management. Each category is defined by specific systolic and diastolic values, and some categories rely on either the systolic or diastolic number meeting the threshold.

The best definition uses normal as under 120/80, elevated when the systolic is 120–129 with the diastolic still under 80, stage 1 when the systolic is 130–139 or the diastolic is 80–89, and stage 2 when the systolic is 140 or higher or the diastolic is 90 or higher. This framing reflects how both numbers work together to categorize risk and determine appropriate actions, such as lifestyle changes or initiating treatment.

Other options mix different cutoffs that don’t align with these commonly used thresholds, such as mixing higher normal numbers or using incompatible diastolic ranges, which can misclassify blood pressure and treatment needs.