Final answer:
A diastolic blood pressure greater than 90 mmHg at rest is classified as hypertension. It is vital to control high blood pressure to avoid severe health issues like heart attacks and strokes. Blood pressure is measured as systolic over diastolic pressure, with optimal levels being below 120/80 mm Hg for an adult.
Step-by-step explanation:
A diastolic blood pressure of greater than 90 mmHg at rest is indicative of hypertension. According to the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association's 2017 guidelines, normal blood pressure is defined as systolic pressure (the top number) less than 120 mm Hg and diastolic pressure (the bottom number) less than 80 mm Hg.
Elevated blood pressure is categorized as systolic pressure between 120-129 mm Hg and diastolic pressure less than 80 mm Hg. The condition commonly known as high blood pressure, or hypertension, is diagnosed when blood pressure reaches 130/80 mm Hg or higher. It's essential to manage hypertension, as it can lead to serious complications such as heart attacks, strokes, aneurysms, peripheral arterial disease, chronic kidney disease, or heart failure. This condition may exist without noticeable symptoms, making it imperative to regularly monitor blood pressure levels.
Blood pressure is a measure of the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels. It is an important and widely used health indicator. When measured, blood pressure provides two values: the systolic blood pressure during ventricular contraction (heartbeats), and the diastolic blood pressure which occurs during ventricular relaxation.
An optimal diastolic blood pressure for an adult is generally considered to be 80 mmHg or less. Beyond this threshold, medical intervention and lifestyle changes are often recommended to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and other health problems.