The main indicators of risk level stratification of hypertension are the grading of hypertension, the number of risk factors, target organ damage and the occurrence of complications.
1. Hypertension grading: Grade 1: 140-159/90-99mmHg; Grade 2: 160-179 /100-109mmHg; Grade 3: systolic ≥180mmHg or diastolic ≥110mmHg.
2. Cardiovascular risk factors: hypertension (grade 1-3); smoking; male age >55 years, female age >65 years; family history of early-onset cardiovascular disease; abnormal glucose regulation; abdominal obesity; dyslipidemia; hyperhomocysteinemia.
3. Target organ damage: heart, kidney, brain and other organs damage.
4. Complications: cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents, retinopathy, and so on.
When there is only hypertension and no other risk factors, grade 1 hypertension is considered low risk, grade 2 hypertension is considered intermediate risk, and grade 3 hypertension is considered high risk.
When 1 or 2 risk factors are present, grade 1 hypertension is moderate risk, grade 2 hypertension is intermediate risk, and grade 3 hypertension is very high risk.
When 3 or more risk factors are present or target organ damage occurs, grade 1 hypertension is high risk, grade 2 hypertension is high risk, and grade 3 hypertension is very high risk.
When there are complications or when diabetes is present, either level of hypertension is considered very high risk.