Final answer:
A person with blood pressure consistently above 180/120 has severe hypertension, a condition that can lead to life-threatening complications without immediate medical intervention. Normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg, while chronic hypertension begins at 140/90 mm Hg.
Step-by-step explanation:
A person with blood pressure typically above 180/120 is usually experiencing a severe form of hypertension, which is a chronic condition where the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. Normal blood pressure is generally defined as a pressure of 120/80 mm Hg or less, while chronic hypertension is recognized when a person's systolic blood pressure is consistently 140 or higher and/or the diastolic blood pressure is 90 or higher.
A blood pressure reading of 180/120 mm Hg is far above the threshold for hypertension and enters the range that could indicate a hypertensive crisis, which requires immediate medical attention as it may lead to heart attacks, stroke, aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease, chronic kidney disease, or heart failure. Due to the lack of symptoms, hypertension is known as the "silent killer," and it is key for individuals to manage the condition through diet changes, exercise, and medication.