Abnormal blood-pressure reading, without diagnosis (R03) ICD-10-CM
The R03 code range covers abnormal blood-pressure reading, without diagnosis with 3 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 2 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Codes in the R03 Range 3 codes · 2 billable
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the R03 range.
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.
About the R03 Code Range
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.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the R03 range?
Of the 3 codes in this range, 2 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the R03 range classify?
The range classifies abnormal blood-pressure reading, without diagnosis. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
