Table 1 Definitions of hypertension

Standard lower threshold definition^a

Subjects reported having been diagnosed with hypertension by a health care professional and receiving blood pressure-lowering medication, or if they had an average sitting systolic blood pressure of at least 140 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure of at least 90 mm Hg, or both.

Alternative lower threshold definition

Subjects reported having been diagnosed with hypertension by a health care professional or receiving blood pressure-lowering medication, or if they had an average systolic blood pressure of at least 140 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure of at least 90 mm Hg, or both.

Alternative ‘higher threshold’ definition

Subjects reported having been diagnosed with hypertension by a health care professional and receiving blood pressure-lowering medication, or if they had an average blood pressure above the threshold of 160/100 mm Hg.