A blood pressure reading of 90/60 mmHg indicates what condition?

• A. Hypertension
• B. Normal blood pressure
• C. Hypotension
• D. Orthostatic hypotension

Answer: (C)

A blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg is considered low for most adults because normal blood pressure is around 120/80 mmHg, and hypotension is defined as systolic less than 90 or diastolic less than 60. So this reading indicates hypotension. It can be normal for some individuals, especially athletes, or during sleep, but when it’s persistent or accompanied by symptoms like dizziness, fainting, or confusion, it’s clinically significant. Orthostatic hypotension is a specific situation where blood pressure drops on standing, so you’d need measurements taken in different positions to diagnose that; a single low reading doesn’t by itself confirm orthostatic hypotension. If this value is symptomatic, assess for dehydration, blood loss, or medications and address the underlying cause.