At what measurement is blood pressure considered high?

Blood pressure is classified as high, or hypertension, when it reaches a level of 140/90 mmHg and above. This threshold is set by various health organizations, including the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the American Heart Association, which define hypertension based on the risk of cardiovascular diseases and other health issues associated with consistently high readings.

When systolic pressure (the first number) is at or above 140 mmHg and/or diastolic pressure (the second number) is at or above 90 mmHg, it indicates that the pressure in the arteries is higher than normal during both the contraction and relaxation phases of the cardiac cycle. This sustained elevation can put added strain on the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk for serious health conditions, including heart attack and stroke.

Other readings, such as 130/85 mmHg, 150/95 mmHg, and 160/100 mmHg, may indicate varying stages of prehypertension or hypertension, but the defining cut-off for diagnosing high blood pressure starts at 140/90 mmHg. Thus, the correct answer reflects the established medical consensus regarding hypertension classification.