What is stage 2 hypertension?

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What is stage 2 hypertension?

Stage 2 hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 160 mm Hg or higher, or a diastolic blood pressure of 100 mm Hg or higher. Blood pressure is expressed as the systolic blood pressure “over” the diastolic blood pressure. For example, normal blood pressure is “120 over 80”.

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Matthew Hoffman, MD

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Assigning “stages” to blood pressure was the idea of a national committee dedicated to raising awareness and treatment of hypertension. In their system, stage 1 is blood pressure that’s high (140-to-159 systolic or 90-to-99 diastolic), but not as high as in stage 2.

The higher stage expresses the more serious health risks from untreated severe high blood pressure. However, some experts argue that the term “stage” is misleading, because it suggests that blood pressure steadily gets worse in stages, which is not always the case.

This answer should not be considered medical advice...This answer should not be considered medical advice and should not take the place of a doctor’s visit. Please see the bottom of the page for more information or visit our Terms and Conditions.

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