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Chronic and persistent readings at or above which value define hypertension?
A160/100 mm Hg
B120/80 mm Hg
C130/85 mm Hg
D140/90 mm Hg
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. 140/90 mm Hg
1. Hypertension is chronically elevated blood pressure, not a single high reading.
2. It is defined by chronic and persistent measurements of 140/90 mm Hg or above.
3. Readings between 120/80 and 140/90 mm Hg fall in the prehypertension band instead.
4. Because it is usually silent, patients may not act on it, and heart attack or stroke can follow.
_Source: OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology (CC BY 4.0), Ch 20 "The Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels and Circulation", section 20.4 Homeostatic Regulation of the Vascular System_
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