What blood pressure category would a 13-year-old with 140/90 for three days be diagnosed with?

A 13-year-old with blood pressure readings of 140/90 for three consecutive days would be diagnosed with Stage 2 hypertension. In pediatric patients, blood pressure norms are often categorized based on percentile graphs for age, sex, and height.

For children and adolescents, Stage 2 hypertension is classified as a systolic or diastolic blood pressure consistently at or above the 95th percentile. In this case, a reading of 140/90 exceeds these thresholds, indicating a more severe level of hypertension.

Understanding the classifications of blood pressure in children is essential for early identification and management of hypertension, which is critical to prevent long-term health issues. Recognizing the difference between stages allows healthcare professionals to implement appropriate interventions and provide education to families about lifestyle modifications and when further evaluation may be necessary.