New guidelines for high blood pressure: 3 things to know

Nov 18, 2019

The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association have created new guidelines for defining high blood pressure. The new guidelines are based on extensive research and clinical trials over the course of several years.

The Guidelines

According to the American Heart Association, “People with readings of 130 as the top number or 80 as the bottom one now are considered to have high blood pressure…. High blood pressure used to be defined as 140/90. The change means 46 percent of U.S. adults are identified as having high blood pressure, compared with 32 percent under the previous definition.”

Managing high blood pressure

Dr. Siddhartha Kattamanchi, a Marshfield Clinic Health System nephrologist, said many of his patients have asked what these new guidelines mean for their health. He emphasizes with his patients the importance of not smoking, healthy diet and weight management. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), sleep apnea and obesity make controlling blood pressure difficult.

Medication may be used to help control blood pressure, but Kattamanchi stressed that medicines should be combined with a healthy lifestyle and diet for the best results.

“If you don’t limit your salt intake, the medications we put you on will be much less effective,” Kattamanchi said.

Talk with your provider

The causes of high blood pressure are many, including genetics and lifestyle factors. High blood pressure can lead to many health complications, including heart attack and stroke. If you have questions about your blood pressure and heart health, talk with your provider.

5 responses to “New guidelines for high blood pressure: 3 things to know”

Vicki Anderson

Jan 5, 2020

My afternoon BP reading vary but are 130-140 / 74-84. rarely in the am my BPs are low 100/60. By evening and bedtime I am back down to 120/70. I the past I would have been borderline in the afternoon. Now this is considered hypertension? when I was on low doses I felt terrible. I am not on any meds at this time

Reply
Dave Patrykus

Jan 2, 2020

I am getting pretty damned tired of what I was told is "Lisinopril cough" though I now take Losartin. I am also tired of the dizzy feeling it often gives me. At 84 I recall that my dad had the same problem at about the same age. He quit all BP medication and died several years later at 90 of congestive heart failure. Tell me why I should keep taking this stuff.

Reply
1. Jacob Zipperer
  
  Jan 2, 2020
  
  Hi Dave,
  
  Unfortunately, we are unable to provide individualized medical advice on this platform. We recommend contacting your doctor regarding any questions about your prescribed medications. They are most aware of your medical history and current conditions.
  
  Thank you – Jake
  
  Reply
Darleen

Nov 21, 2019

Is there a r eason to be on metopronolol succinate FR 50 mg and Losartan potassium 25 mg on a daily basis? Can thiese two meds work together and why ?

Reply
1. Jacob Zipperer
  
  Nov 22, 2019
  
  Hello Darleen,
  
  Thank you for contacting us. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide individualized medical advice on this platform. We recommend contacting your doctor regarding your question. They are most aware of your medical history and current conditions.
  
  If you are a Marshfield Clinic patient, you can message a provider directly through My Marshfield Clinic: https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/mymarshfieldclinic
  
  Thank you – Jake
  
  Reply