Abnormal blood-pressure reading, without diagnosis (R03)
The ICD-10 code R03 and its subcodes are used to document abnormal blood-pressure readings when there is no definitive diagnosis of hypertension or hypotension. These codes capture elevated or low blood pressure findings that require monitoring but do not yet meet criteria for a formal diagnosis.
The code R03.0 specifically addresses an elevated blood-pressure reading without diagnosis of hypertension, also known by terms such as increased blood pressure, prehypertension, or increased systolic and diastolic arterial pressure. This code is valuable when a patient's blood pressure readings are higher than normal but not sufficiently high to confirm hypertension. Conversely, R03.1 covers a nonspecific low blood-pressure reading, associated with synonyms like decreased blood pressure or decreased mean arterial pressure. These codes help healthcare professionals document and track abnormal circulatory signs that require ongoing observation or further evaluation without attributing a specific disease code prematurely.
Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00–R99)
Symptoms and signs involving the circulatory and respiratory systems (R00-R09)
R03 Abnormal blood-pressure reading, without diagnosis
- R03.0 Elevated blood-pressure reading, without diagnosis of hypertension
- R03.1 Nonspecific low blood-pressure reading
Abnormal blood-pressure reading, without diagnosis (R03)
Clinical Terms
The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.
Prehypertension
Blood pressure levels that are between normotension and hypertension. Individuals with prehypertension are at a higher risk for developing cardiovascular diseases. Generally, prehypertension is defined as SYSTOLIC PRESSURE of 131-139 mm Hg and/or DIASTOLIC PRESSURE of 81-89 when the optimal is 120/80 mm Hg. For diabetics and other metabolism diseases the prehypertension is around 110-129/70-79 mm Hg.
