| Grade of Hypertension |
Definition |
Appropriate Next Step |
|
| "White-coat" hypertension |
BP levels >95th percentile in a physician's office or clinic, but normotensive outside a clinical setting |
Readings may be obtained at home with appropriate family training or with the assistance of a school nurse or with the use of ambulatory BP monitoring. |
| Prehypertension |
Average SBP or DBP levels that are >= 90th percentile but <95th percentile; as with adults, adolescents who have BP levels >= 120/80 mm Hg should be considered prehypertensive |
Additional readings may be obtained at home with appropriate family training or with the assistance of a school nurse. |
| Stage I hypertension |
Average SBP or DBP that is >= 95th percentile |
A diagnostic evaluation in a nonurgent, phased approach may be organized. |
| Stage II hypertension |
Average SBP or DBP that is >5 mm Hg higher than the 95th percentile |
A diagnostic evaluation over a short period of time in conjunction with pharmacologic treatment may be organized. |
| Hypertensive urgency and emergency |
Average SBP or DBP that is >5 mm Hg higher than the 95th percentile, along with clinical signs or symptoms |
Patient hospitalized and treated to lower the BP. |