What condition is indicated by a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mm Hg or higher?

A blood pressure reading of 140/90 mm Hg or higher is indicative of hypertension, which is a condition characterized by consistently elevated blood pressure levels. Hypertension is diagnosed when blood pressure readings are at or above this threshold, signaling that the force of blood against the artery walls is too high. This can lead to various health complications, such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney damage if left unmanaged.

The classification of blood pressure ranges is specifically defined by guidelines, such as those from the American Heart Association. In these guidelines, normal blood pressure is defined as less than 120/80 mm Hg, while prehypertension is identified as readings from 120-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic. Given these definitions, a reading of 140/90 mm Hg clearly falls into the category of hypertension.

In terms of alternative choices: normal blood pressure indicates optimal readings that do not indicate health risks; prehypertension is a warning stage that precedes hypertension, and hypotension refers to low blood pressure, which is not relevant in this context. Thus, it is clear that a reading of 140/90 mm Hg or higher is specifically classified as hypertension.