A person with a confirmed blood pressure of 125/87 would be classified as

• A. Prehypertension
• B. Normal
• C. Stage 1 hypertension
• D. Stage 2 hypertension

Answer: (A)

Blood pressure classification is based on standard threshold ranges that separate normal, borderline (prehypertension), and hypertension. In the common older guidelines, a normal reading is systolic under 120 and diastolic under 80. Prehypertension covers readings where systolic is 120–139 or diastolic is 80–89. A value of 125/87 falls into those ranges for both numbers, so it is categorized as prehypertension. It’s not normal because the systolic and diastolic values exceed the normal cutoffs, and it’s not hypertension because the values do not reach the higher thresholds (systolic 140 or diastolic 90 or more). This category highlights the need for lifestyle measures to reduce future risk of progressing to hypertension.