# High blood pressure High blood pressure is a diagnosis of a sustained and consistent higher blood pressure than normal (under 120/80 mmHg). It’s normal for [[Blood pressure]] to be elevated during daily activities, as blood pressure is variable. It’s when it is consistently elevated above normal, it can be diagnosed as high blood pressure (though guidelines differ on the elevated rate). There are two forms of high blood pressure, listed in increasing severity: - [[#Pre-hypertension]] - [[#Hypertension]] --- # # Pre-hypertension Pre-hypertension is a sustained elevated [[Blood pressure]] that measures between: - 121 to 139 mmHg for [[Blood pressure, systolic|systolic]] - 81 to 89 mmHg for [[Blood pressure, diastolic|diastolic]] --- # # Hypertension According to the World Health Organization, hypertension is diagnosed after blood pressure is measured on two separate days and the following one or more conditions are met: - [[Blood pressure, systolic|systolic]] is measured over 140 mmHg - [[Blood pressure, diastolic|diastolic]] is measured over 90 mmHg --- # #### General References - [CDC: High blood pressure symptoms and causes](https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/about.htm) - [WHO fact sheet](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension)