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. The relation- ship of this classification schema with measurements obtained by ambulatory BP recording and home BP measurements is discussed in Section 4.2. Recommendation-Specific Supportive Text 1. As was the case in previous BP classification systems, the choice and the naming of the categories were based on a pragmatic interpretation of BP-related CVD risk and benefit of BP reduction in clinical trials. Meta-analyses of observational studies have demonstrated that elevated Table 6. Categories of BP in Adults* BP Category SBP DBP Normal <120 mm Hg and <80 mm Hg Elevated 120 129 mm Hg and <80 mm Hg Hypertension Stage 1 130 139 mm Hg or 80 89 mm Hg Stage 2 140 mm Hg or 90 mm Hg *Individuals with SBP and DBP in 2 categories should be designated to the higher BP category. BP indicates blood pressure (based on an average of 2 careful readings obtained on 2 occasions, as detailed in Section 4); DBP, diastolic blood pressure; and SBP, systolic blood pressure. BP and hypertension are associated with increased risk of CVD, ESRD, subclinical atherosclerosis, and all-cause The recommended BP classification sys- tem is most valuable in untreated adults as an aid in deci- sions about prevention or treatment of high BP. However, it is also useful in assessing the success of interventions to reduce BP. 3.2. 