Final answer:
Blood pressure classifications include normal, elevated, hypertension stage 1 and 2, and are especially important for individuals with diabetes or chronic kidney disease. Hypertension can cause significant health issues without noticeable symptoms, earning it the nickname 'silent killer.'
Step-by-step explanation:
Blood Pressure Classification
Blood pressure (BP) levels are indicators of cardiovascular health. According to guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, BP levels are classified as follows:
- Normal: systolic < 120 mm Hg and diastolic < 80 mm Hg
- Elevated (prehypertension): systolic 120-129 mm Hg and diastolic < 80 mm Hg
- Hypertension Stage 1 (HTN I): systolic 130-139 mm Hg or diastolic 80-89 mm Hg
- Hypertension Stage 2 (HTN II): systolic ≥ 140 mm Hg or diastolic ≥ 90 mm Hg
- Special conditions like diabetes mellitus (DM)/chronic kidney disease (CKD): often treated more aggressively, and BP targets may be lower.
Why is it important to manage BP? Hypertension, sometimes referred to as the "silent killer," can lead to severe health events such as heart attacks, strokes, aneurysms, and kidney disease without noticeable symptoms.