What does a blood pressure reading of 90/42 indicate?

A blood pressure reading of 90/42 indicates hypotension, which is defined as low blood pressure. Normal blood pressure typically falls within a range of about 90/60 to 120/80 mmHg. In this case, both the systolic (90 mmHg) and diastolic (42 mmHg) values are below the normal thresholds, indicating that the pressure in the arteries is not adequate for maintaining sufficient blood flow to the organs and tissues.

Hypotension can manifest in various ways, potentially causing symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, and in severe cases, shock. This reading signals that the body's cardiovascular system may not be functioning optimally, which is important to address in a clinical setting.

In contrast, the other options presented relate to different cardiovascular conditions. Normotension refers to normal blood pressure levels, hypertension indicates elevated blood pressure, and bradycardia refers to a slower than normal heart rate. None of these conditions are aligned with the low readings indicated by 90/42, emphasizing that the correct interpretation is indeed hypotension.