U.S.: 130, NOT 140, IS NOW HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Washington, Nov. 14: High blood pressure should be treated earlier when it reaches 130/80 mm Hg rather than 140/90, according to the first comprehensive high BP guidelines in the US in more than a decade.

The guidelines are being published by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology for detection, prevention, management and treatment of high blood pressure.

High BP is known as the “silent killer” because often there are no symptoms, despite its role in increasing the risk for heart disease.

— PTI

Washington, Nov. 14: High blood pressure should be treated earlier when it reaches 130/80 mm Hg rather than 140/90, according to the first comprehensive high BP guidelines in the US in more than a decade.

Rather than one in three US adults having high blood pressure (32 per cent) with the previous definition, the new guidelines will result in nearly half of the US adult population (46 per cent) having high BP, or hypertension.

However, there will only be a small increase in the number of US adults who will require antihypertensive medication.

High blood pressure is now defined as readings of 130 millimetres of mercury (mm Hg) and higher for the systolic BP measurement, or readings of 80 and higher for the diastolic measurement.

That is a change from the old definition of 140/90 and higher, reflecting complications that can occur at those lower numbers.

The new guidelines stress the importance of using proper technique to measure blood pressure. Blood pressure levels should be based on an average of two to three readings on at least two different occasions.

High blood pressure accounts for the second largest number of preventable heart disease and stroke deaths, second only to smoking.