A patient's blood pressure is measured at 145/95 mmHg after local anesthetic administration. According to the 2017 ACC/AHA hypertension guidelines, how should this blood pressure be classified?

According to the 2017 ACC/AHA hypertension classification: Normal is <120/<80 mmHg; Elevated is 120-129/<80 mmHg; Stage 1 hypertension is 130-139 OR 80-89 mmHg; Stage 2 hypertension is ≥140 OR ≥90 mmHg. A reading of 145/95 mmHg meets BOTH Stage 2 criteria: systolic ≥140 (145) AND diastolic ≥90 (95). When readings fall in two categories, the patient is assigned to the higher category. Therefore, this is classified as Stage 2 hypertension, not Stage 1. In the dental setting, this blood pressure warrants monitoring; elective procedures should be deferred if sustained Stage 2 hypertension (≥180/≥110 mmHg is a hypertensive crisis requiring immediate referral).