Which blood pressure range indicates Stage 2 Hypertension?

Stage 2 Hypertension is characterized by more severe elevations in blood pressure compared to Stage 1. According to the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines for the management of hypertension, Stage 2 Hypertension is defined as having a systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or greater or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or greater.

In this context, the correct answer of 160-179 systolic and 100-109 diastolic distinctly indicates Stage 2 Hypertension because it falls well above the cutoff for Stage 1 and presents a higher risk for cardiovascular issues due to the significant elevation in both systolic and diastolic values. This classification is important for medical professionals to initiate appropriate and immediate interventions aimed at lowering blood pressure and mitigating potential health complications.

Lower ranges, such as those indicated in the other options, represent either normal or Stage 1 Hypertension, thus highlighting the critical thresholds used to classify hypertension severity.