New AHA Guidelines: More Americans Than Ever Now Have Hypertension - Is It Preventable?

In the new guideline released by AHA, patients who are 120-129 or less than 80 mmHg are categorised as stage 1 hypertension. Do you have hypertension? Read on…

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure is one major cause of heart attack and stroke. This chronic disease makes cardiovascular disease one of the leading reason of death worldwide with an estimated 17.9 million deaths each year.

1 Out Of 4 People Have Hypertension Under Control

In addition, a person living with hypertension has been shown to have an increased risk of developing dementia and cognitive decline. What is more concerning is that 1 out of 4 people with a history of hypertension only have the condition under control.

The American Heart Association (AHA), in August, released a new guideline on the prevention and management of hypertension based on a comprehensive analysis that was published over the past 10 years.

According to the analysis on the new guidelines by Dr William Cornwell of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, with a leading media outlet, the criteria are stricter and the blood pressure is lower than before.

New Criteria For Hypertension

Hypertension is typically checked by systolic which measures the blood pressure while the heart is pumping in the body and diastolic measures your blood pressure while the body is resting. In the new guidelines, the AHA has interestingly removed ‘pre-hypertension’, which was defined by systolic pressure 129-139 millimetres of mercury (mmHg), or diastolic pressure of 89-99 mmHg.

The new criteria involving patients who are 120-129 or less than 80 mmHg are categorised as stage 1 hypertension. If they are of 130-139/80-89 are categorised as having ‘elevated blood pressure.’ And a reading that shows 140/99 is considered ‘stage 2 hypertension.’ Individuals whose blood pressure shows 180/120 or more are considered to have a hypertensive crisis.

Keeping in mind the new guidelines published by the AHA, Dr Cornwell suggests consulting with doctors if they have hypertension according to the new criteria and whether or not they require any treatment.

Is Hypertension Preventable?

Hypertension is largely preventable by adopting certain lifestyle habits. The new guidelines encourage people to reduce their intake of alcohol, as it can increase blood pressure.

It also recommends all adults with or without hypertension to consume less than 2300 mg salt or approximately 1 teaspoon per day, ideally, it should be 1500 mg per day.

In addition, the new guidelines recommend a specific diet called DASH diet that focuses on fruits, vegetables, low-fat or nonfat dairy and whole grains for patients with or without hypertension to prevent or treat elevated blood pressure.

The need for increased physical activity was also another strategy listed out in the new guideline to prevent high blood pressure. It suggests a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week and stress management practices.

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