New guidelines issued by the American Heart Association aim to improve the management of hypertension for Americans, reflecting recent scientific evidence and maintaining key definitions of blood pressure categories.
Approximately half of adults in the United States suffer from hypertension, a significant preventable risk factor linked to heart disease, stroke, heart attacks, heart failure, kidney diseases, and even dementia. For the first time since 2017, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology have updated their guidelines to better assist those with hypertension in managing their blood pressure levels effectively, based on a growing body of new scientific evidence. Dr. Daniel W. Jones, chair for the guideline writing committee and Dean and Professor Emeritus at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, emphasized that these new updates reflect evidence that provides individuals with better opportunities for a longer and healthier life.
