Expanded guideline means more than 100 million people have high blood pressure.
The new US blood pressure guideline lowers the definition of high blood pressure to 130/80 mm Hg. This means that more than 100 million adults will now have high blood pressure, though many will be unaware of the diagnosis.
The new guideline eliminates the category of prehypertension. The new blood pressure categories are:
- Normal:<120/80 mm Hg;
- Elevated:Systolic between 120-129 and diastolic less than 80;
- Stage 1: Systolic between 130-139 or diastolic between 80-89;
- Stage 2: Systolic at least 140 or diastolic at least 90 mm Hg;
- Hypertensive crisis: Systolic >180 and/or diastolic >120.
The guideline authors said that the the impact of the new guideline will be greatest among younger people. They said the prevalence of hypertension in people under the age of 45 would triple among men and double among women.
