Final answer:
A diagnosis of hypertension does require multiple separate readings by a physician to account for fluctuations and ensure accurate diagnosis. Hypertension is defined as persistent readings of 140/90 mm Hg or above and can lead to severe health issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
A diagnosis of hypertension indeed requires multiple readings. Measuring blood pressure is a critical step in diagnosing hypertension. Since blood pressure can fluctuate due to various factors such as stress, hydration levels, and the time of day, it is necessary to have 2-3 separate readings taken by a physician to ensure accuracy. This practice helps to rule out temporary spikes in blood pressure caused by factors like "white coat syndrome," where individuals may have elevated readings due to the anxiety of being in a medical setting.
Hypertension is defined as chronic and persistent blood pressure measurements of 140/90 mm Hg or above. Blood pressure readings between 120/80 and 140/90 mm Hg are considered as prehypertension. It is often referred to as a 'silent killer' because it can lead to serious health consequences such as heart attacks, strokes, aneurysms, and more, even without obvious symptoms.