11
Diagnosis of Hypertension
Category
Systolic Blood
Pressure (mm Hg)
Diastolic Blood
Pressure (mm Hg)
Normal <120 and <80
Elevated 120–29 and <80
Hypertension stage 1 130–139 or 80–89
Hypertension stage 2 ≥140 or ≥90
➤ Diagnosis
• Hypertension criteria in adults include systolic blood pressure
≥130 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ≥80 mm Hg on two
separate occasions (2025 ACC/AHA Guidelines for High Blood
Pressure in Adults).
• In children and adolescents, hypertension is defined as blood
pressure ≥95th percentile for age, sex, and height on three separate
occasions. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring may be beneficial
for confirming a diagnosis and identifying white-coat hypertension.
• Adolescents ≥13 years (align with adult thresholds):
▶ Elevated blood pressure: 120–129/<80 mm Hg.
▶ Stage 1 hypertension: 130–139/80–89 mm Hg.
▶ Stage 2 hypertension: ≥140/90 mm Hg.
• Simplified screening formula (ages 3–17):
▶ Males: systolic blood pressure = 100 + (2
×
age); diastolic blood
pressure = 65 + age
▶ Females: systolic blood pressure = 100 + (1.5
×
age); diastolic
blood pressure = 65 + age
