A blood pressure of 124/84 mm Hg falls into which category?

• A. Stage 1
• B. Within Normal Range
• C. Prehypertension
• D. Stage 2

Answer: (C)

The situation tests how blood pressure values are categorized by thresholds that combine the top (systolic) and bottom (diastolic) numbers. Normal is below 120/80. If either number falls into the range 120–139 for systolic or 80–89 for diastolic, that reading is labeled prehypertension. A blood pressure of 124/84 has a systolic of 124 (in 120–139) and a diastolic of 84 (in 80–89), so it fits the prehypertension category. It isn’t normal because both numbers exceed the normal cutoffs, and it isn’t high enough to be Stage 1 (which begins at 140/90 in these guidelines). Keep in mind that guidelines have evolved, but under this framework, 124/84 is considered prehypertension.