Many people have high blood pressure and don’t know it.
It is a silent disease that kills many people each year. Regular checkups with your doctor can keep you on top of this silent killer and most people can control high blood pressure with medication, diet and exercise.
For the first time in a while the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association have released new guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Authorities state that if your blood pressure is 130/80 mm Hg or higher, you have hypertension.
A normal blood pressure measurement is the same as it was before: less than 120/80 mm Hg. If it is between the two numbers it is considered elevated, and should be watched closely and addressed with exercise, a healthy diet low in salt, limited alcohol intake and weight loss as needed.
This new guideline is based on evidence that shows having a systolic measurement from 130-139 and diastolic measurement from 80-89 doubles the risk for having a stroke, heart attack or other complications.
