Millions more people have high blood pressure. The reading for high blood pressure used to start at 140 over 90. American doctors changed these numbers to 130 over 80. They said the disease should be treated sooner. Blood pressure is your heart pushing blood around your body. If this pushing is too strong, it stresses your heart and arteries. This can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Normal blood pressure is 120 over 80, or less.
Health problems can happen at 130 over 80. People can have this level of blood pressure without medicine. The new reading is a warning for you to lower your blood pressure, without medicine. People with high blood pressure need to change their lifestyle. They should lose weight, exercise more, eat healthier food, avoid alcohol and salt, quit smoking, and avoid stress. Over 46 per cent of adults in the USA now have high blood pressure, up from 32 per cent.