7.2 World Health Organization (WHO) classification
According to WHO Guidelines/Definitions and the latest
findings, the test results of adults can be classified and
evaluated according to the following chart.
Blood pres-
Systole
sure value
(in mmHg)
category
Setting 3:
severe
≥ 180
hypertension
Setting 2:
moderate
160 – 179
hypertension
Setting 1:
mild
140 – 159
hypertension
High normal
130 – 139
Normal
120 – 129
Optimal
< 120
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, WHO7 (2004), adapted
Diastole
Action
(in mmHg)
seek medical
≥ 110
attention
seek medical
100 – 109
attention
regular monitor-
90 – 99
ing by doctor
regular monitor-
85 – 89
ing by doctor
self-
80 – 84
monitoring
self-
< 80
monitoring
Measuring the resting indicator
(using the HSD diagnosis)
The most frequent error made when measuring blood pres-
sure is taking the measurement when not at rest (haemo-
dynamic stability), which means that both the systolic and
the diastolic blood pressures are distorted.
While measuring the blood pressure, the device automatic-
ally determines whether you are at rest or not.
If there is no indication that your circulatory system is not
sufficiently at rest, the symbol
lights up green and the measurement can be recorded as a
reliable resting blood pressure value.
GREEN: haemodynamically stable
Measurement of the systolic and diastolic pressure is incre-
ased when the circulatory system is sufficiently at rest and
is a very reliable indicator of resting blood pressure.
However, if there is an indication that the circulatory system
is not sufficiently at rest (haemodynamic instability), the
symbol lights up red.
In this case, the measurement should be repeated after
a period of physical and mental rest. The blood pressure
measurement must be taken when the patient is physically
21
(haemodynamic stability)