Online Data Supplement C illustrates schematically the SBP and DBP categories defining normal BP, elevated BP, and stages 1 and 2 hypertension. This cat- egorization differs from that previously recommended in the JNC 7 report, with stage 1 hypertension now defined as an SBP of 130 139 or a DBP of 80 89 mm Hg, and with stage 2 hypertension in the present document corresponding to stages 1 and 2 in the JNC 7 report.S3.1-21 The rationale for this categorization is based on observational data related to the association between SBP/DBP and CVD risk, RCTs of life- style modification to lower BP, and RCTs of treatment with antihypertensive medication to prevent CVD. The increased risk of CVD among adults with stage 2 hypertension is well established. An increasing number of individual studies and meta-analyses of observational data have reported a gradient of progressively higher CVD risk going from normal BP to elevated BP and stage 1 hypertension.S3.1-4 S3.1-10,S3.1-12,S3.1-13,S3.1-16 In many of these meta-analyses, the hazard ratios for CHD and stroke were between 1.1 and 1.5 for the comparison of SBP/DBP of 120 129/80 84 mm Hg versus <120/80 mm Hg and between 1.5 and 2.0 for the comparison of SBP/DBP of 130 139/85 89 mm Hg versus <120/80 mm Hg. This risk gradient was consistent across subgroups defined by sex and race/ethnicity. The relative increase in CVD risk associated with higher BP was attenuated but still present among older The prevalence of severe hypertension has been declining over time, but approximately 12.3% of US adults with hypertension have an average SBP 160 mm Hg or aver- age DBP 100 mm Hg.S3.1-22 Lifestyle modification and phar- macological antihypertensive treatment recommendations for individuals with elevated BP and stages 1 and 2 hypertension are provided in Sections 6 and 8, respectively. 