ARRT Patient Care Practice Exam

Which diastolic pressure reading is indicative of hypertension?

1. 40 mm Hg

2. 60 mm Hg

3. 80 mm Hg

4. 100 mm Hg

The correct answer is: 100 mm Hg

A diastolic pressure reading of 100 mm Hg is indicative of hypertension because hypertension is generally defined as having a diastolic pressure consistently at or above 90 mm Hg. The diastolic pressure is the second number in a blood pressure reading, representing the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats. A reading of 100 mm Hg suggests a sustained high pressure that can lead to cardiovascular issues, highlighting that the heart has to work harder than it should during the resting phase. In contrast, readings like 40 mm Hg, 60 mm Hg, and 80 mm Hg are significantly lower than the threshold for diagnosis of hypertension. A diastolic pressure at these levels would typically be considered normal or even low, indicating that there is no excess strain on the cardiovascular system associated with hypertension. Hence, the reading of 100 mm Hg is the only one that meets the criteria for defining hypertension.