According to this material, hypertension is defined as blood pressure greater than what value?

• A. 120/80 mmHg
• B. 130/85 mmHg
• C. 140/90 mmHg
• D. 150/100 mmHg

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is how hypertension is defined by a threshold. In this material, blood pressure is considered hypertensive when the systolic value is greater than 140 mmHg or the diastolic value is greater than 90 mmHg, based on measurements taken on separate occasions. In other words, 140/90 mmHg is the cutoff being tested. This means that readings consistently above those numbers indicate hypertension, while normal readings are around 120/80, and a reading like 130/85 sits below the defined threshold (though it may be seen as elevated under newer guidelines). A value such as 150/100 would meet the hypertension criterion, but the key point the question targets is the threshold of 140/90 mmHg. Remember, diagnosis relies on repeated measurements to confirm persistent elevation, not a single reading.