In November 2017 the American Heart Association announced changes to US Blood Pressure guidelines which means that almost half of American adults are now classed as living with high blood pressure.
The American threshold for high blood pressure was previously 140/90 mmHG –as it is in the UK – but following these changes, high blood pressure in the USA is now recognised with a reading of 130/80 mmHG or higher. This means that 103 million Americans now need to make changes to their lifestyle in order to lower their blood pressure.
Those who are affected by the new guidelines must look to alter their lifestyle with healthier diet choices and improving fitness in order to help lower their blood pressure. In more serious cases, people with higher readings must now take medication to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of the more serious effects of Hypertension such as heart attack or stroke.
The clear message from the American Heart Association is that when it comes to blood pressure, lower is better and it is hoped that the updated recommendations will help to improve cardiovascular health for adults across the United States.
A blood pressure reading measures how much force the blood places on the walls of the arteries each time the heart beats (systolic pressure) and the same force when the heart is resting between beats (diastolic pressure). Under the new guidelines, a healthy blood pressure reading is still classed as 120/80 mmHG, but there is now a smaller gap between this and the lowest threshold for hypertension (130). Previously, anyone with a systolic reading between 120-129 was considered to have pre-hypertension, but under the new guidelines they would now be treated for Hypertension, which carries a greater risk of serious health complications.
People with a systolic reading between 130-140 are almost twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke than those who have healthy blood pressure. The new American guidelines are designed to raise awareness of the importance of measuring and understanding blood pressure, and to remind people to be more mindful of their heart health. Tackling blood pressure before a sufferer’s readings become too high means that smaller changes to lifestyle can make a marked difference, and more drastic measures such as prescribing medication may not be immediately necessary.
Will these guidelines be recognised in the UK?
The obvious question now is whether the UK will follow the US in making these changes. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is currently considering evidence from the US and is expected to publish any changes on 22 August 2019. If the advice is adopted in the UK, up to 50% of adults could be placed into the High Blood Pressure category. The benefit of becoming aware of these potential new guidelines now is that we are able educate ourselves on our own blood pressure levels, and make changes before our health is put at risk.
Home blood pressure monitors are a helpful tool in understanding and controlling our own blood pressure. Many people struggle to take time out to see their GP, and testing at home when we feel more at ease will help to give a more accurate reading. Kinetik Blood Pressure Monitors are easy to use and tested to ESH standards (the European Society of Hypertension), proving their accuracy.
Learn more about our Blood Pressure monitors here
FAQs
Nearly half of adults have hypertension (119.9 million). About 1 in 4 adults with hypertension have their hypertension under control (27.0 million). All adults with hypertension are recommended by a clinician to undergo lifestyle modifications. This is the only treatment recommendation for 1 in 5 adults (25.0 million).
How many people in the UK suffer from hypertension? ›
High blood pressure affects more than 1 in 4 adults in England, around 12.5 million people in 2015. The prevalence of high blood pressure for adults in England in 2015 was 31% among men and 26% among women, with little change over the last few years.
Does coffee raise blood pressure? ›
Answer From Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D. Caffeine may cause a short, but dramatic increase in your blood pressure, even if you don't have high blood pressure. It's unclear what causes this spike in blood pressure. The blood pressure response to caffeine differs from person to person.
Does drinking water lower blood pressure? ›
If blood pressure becomes elevated due to dehydration, it may be possible to help lower it by drinking water. Dehydration causes the blood to have higher than normal levels of sodium. When this happens, the brain sends signals to the pituitary gland to secrete vasopressin, also called antidiuretic hormone.
What is the highest human BP ever recorded? ›
The highest pressure recorded in an individual was 370/360.
Which American race is most likely to have high blood pressure? ›
National surveys such as the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) have highlighted these differences. Non-Hispanic blacks (NHB) have significantly higher rates of hypertension compared to non-Hispanic whites (NHW), while Hispanics and non-Hispanic Asians (NHA) have lower rates than both groups.
What is the number one food that causes high blood pressure? ›
Salty foods. High sodium consumption can elevate blood pressure. Many people eat too much sodium without realizing it. Highly processed foods and fast foods usually contain excessive amounts of sodium, often more than the 2,300 milligrams a person should consume daily.
What is the best drink in the morning for high blood pressure? ›
There are a range of drinks that may help lower a person's blood pressure in the morning. If a person with hypertension usually drinks coffee or sugary juice in the morning, it may be beneficial for them to swap it for beetroot juice, unsalted tomato juice, green tea, or unsweetened pomegranate juice.
Do bananas help blood pressure? ›
Bananas are a nutritious and tasty option for helping lower blood pressure. Loaded with essential nutrients like potassium, fiber and vitamin C, bananas offer several benefits for cardiovascular health. Their potassium content counterbalances sodium intake, promoting blood vessel relaxation.
What drink before bed lowers blood pressure? ›
The top drinks for lowering blood pressure include water, fruit juices (pomegranate, prune, cranberry, cherry), vegetable juice (tomato, raw beet), tea (black, green), and skim milk.
Helps Reduce Blood Pressure
The potassium found in lemon juice can also help diminish the effects of salt on blood pressure. Studies have shown that, when combined with daily walks, lemon intake can be an effective treatment for high blood pressure.
Does walking lower blood pressure? ›
For those who have hypertension, regular physical activity can bring blood pressure down to safer levels. Some examples of aerobic exercise that can help lower blood pressure include walking, jogging, cycling, swimming or dancing. Another possibility is high-intensity interval training.
What percentage of American have high blood pressure? ›
About 70% of Americans will have high blood pressure in their lifetimes. What's more, only 1 in 4 patients with hypertension have their blood pressure under control. And because high blood pressure usually has no symptoms, you can have it without knowing it.
Which US population group has the highest risk of hypertension? ›
Hypertension prevalence was higher among non-Hispanic black (57.1%) than non-Hispanic white (43.6%) or Hispanic (43.7%) adults. Hypertension was lowest among college graduates compared with those having a high school education or less, and those with more than high school or some college.
Do all big people have high blood pressure? ›
However, not all obese individuals are hypertensive, suggesting that adaptive mechanisms are present in at least some obese individuals which allow them to maintain normal levels of blood pressure (BP).
