What is the indicated risk interpretation for a blood pressure reading of 140/80 in this material?

What is the indicated risk interpretation for a blood pressure reading of 140/80 in this material?

• A. Bad
• B. Normal
• C. Elevated
• D. Excellent

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that blood pressure numbers map to risk levels. A reading of 140/80 shows a systolic pressure at or above 140, which pushes the measurement outside normal and into a higher risk category in many standard scales. In the material you’re studying, that level of systolic pressure is labeled as a higher-risk interpretation, described as “Bad,” because it indicates elevated cardiovascular risk and potential need for medical review or lifestyle changes. The diastolic value of 80 isn’t enough by itself to place the reading in the “Elevated” category (that category is for 120–129 systolic with diastolic under 80). Normal would require both numbers below 120/80, which isn’t the case here. Excellent isn’t used for readings that exceed the normal range. So the reading aligns with increased risk, hence the interpretation as Bad.

The main idea is that blood pressure numbers map to risk levels. A reading of 140/80 shows a systolic pressure at or above 140, which pushes the measurement outside normal and into a higher risk category in many standard scales. In the material you’re studying, that level of systolic pressure is labeled as a higher-risk interpretation, described as “Bad,” because it indicates elevated cardiovascular risk and potential need for medical review or lifestyle changes. The diastolic value of 80 isn’t enough by itself to place the reading in the “Elevated” category (that category is for 120–129 systolic with diastolic under 80). Normal would require both numbers below 120/80, which isn’t the case here. Excellent isn’t used for readings that exceed the normal range. So the reading aligns with increased risk, hence the interpretation as Bad.