A patient on antihypertensive medication has a blood pressure reading of 145/95 mmHg during a dental appointment. How should this blood pressure be classified according to current guidelines?

According to the 2017 ACC/AHA hypertension guidelines, Stage 2 hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg or diastolic ≥90 mmHg. A reading of 145/95 mmHg meets both criteria. Stage 1 hypertension is systolic 130–139 or diastolic 80–89 mmHg. Elevated blood pressure is systolic 120–129 with diastolic less than 80. For dental treatment, patients with Stage 2 hypertension (≥160/100 in many dental guidelines) should be monitored carefully; those above 180/110 require medical referral before elective procedures.