What blood pressure would prompt antihypertensive therapy in a patient with preeclampsia with severe features?

In the context of preeclampsia with severe features, initiating antihypertensive therapy is critical to preventing complications for both the mother and the fetus. The threshold for treatment is particularly important because severe hypertension poses significant risks, including the potential for acute cerebrovascular events and worsening maternal condition.

A systolic blood pressure of 160 mm Hg or higher is the established threshold at which antihypertensive therapy is generally recommended. This practice guideline is based on the recognition that at this level of hypertension, the risks to both maternal and fetal health increase sharply. Treating to reduce the systolic blood pressure below this level can help mitigate these risks effectively, improving outcomes.

While other thresholds for blood pressure may exist, such as the ones indicated in other options, they do not align with the specific guidelines for preeclampsia with severe features. The emphasis is on the 160 mm Hg mark as a critical cutoff in the management and treatment protocols.