Blood pressure is the force of blood against vessel walls and is typically measured in millimeters of mercury. Number values (for instance, 120/80) are given for two measurements: one for systolic blood pressure (top number) and the other for diastolic (bottom number), meaning the force during a heartbeat and the force during rest, respectively.
The diagnosis of high blood pressure is typically set at 140/90, but new guidelines from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology now define high blood pressure as 130/80. This is the first update to the U.S. guidelines on blood pressure detection and treatment since 2003.
Changing Guidelines for the Better
Typically, a normal blood pressure reading is considered to be 120/80, but an individual’s normal range may vary. The systolic blood pressure commonly rises as we get older, with diastolic showing a slight decline.The new guidelines stress that for most patients now classified as being hypertensive, the recommended treatment is lifestyle changes. This will primarily mean changes in diet and weight loss. Medication will only be used when conservative treatment options fail.
“There is a growing body of evidence that lower blood pressure is better for your health,” said Dr. Steven Houser, former president of the American Heart Association.
- Normal: Less than 120 mm Hg for systolic and 80 mm Hg for diastolic.
- Elevated: Between 120 and 129 for systolic, and less than 80 for diastolic.
- Stage 1 hypertension: Between 130 and 139 for systolic or between 80 and 89 for diastolic.
- Stage 2 hypertension: At least 140 for systolic or at least 90 mm Hg for diastolic.
High Blood Pressure Puts You at Risk
The point of lowering the threshold is to reduce risk in patients. A 2015 study known as the SPRINT trial found that patients who aimed to lower their systolic blood pressure to around 120 mm HG were 27 percent less likely to die during the study period, compared to those who aimed to have their blood pressure at less than 140 mm HG.People with blood pressure between 130–139/80–89 are considered to have double the risk of cardiovascular disease complication compared to those with normal blood pressure.
“We want to be straight with people—if you already have a doubling of risk, you need to know about it. It doesn’t mean you need medication, but it’s a yellow light that you need to be lowering your blood pressure,” said Dr. Paul Whelton, a professor of global public health at Tulane University and lead author of the guidelines.
