I love that one, “pre-hypertensive” -- it's like saying, "you were almost late" which is of course, "on time". I first noticed its use to refer to 120/80 readings in my parents (they also tended toward low BP, that's where I get it).
You’re right; that’s probably not a good term. To clarify, my systolic was sometimes in the upper 130’s and FWIW has reduced quite significantly after I followed more of a carnivore diet.
Pre hypertensive used to be called high normal.