Which of the following is a sign of hypertension?

The correct answer indicates a threshold for diagnosing hypertension based on blood pressure readings. Hypertension is defined by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association as a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 130 mmHg or higher or a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 80 mmHg or higher.

In this context, an SBP of 140 or more and/or a DBP of 90 or more are specifically categorized as stage 2 hypertension, which is a more severe classification within the broader hypertensive spectrum. Therefore, this option aligns with the diagnostic criteria for hypertension, reflecting the condition where the pressure exerted by circulating blood on artery walls is consistently too high, potentially leading to cardiovascular complications.

The other options present blood pressure values that either fall within normal ranges or indicate only prehypertension, which does not meet the criteria for a hypertension diagnosis as outlined in formal guidelines.