10 important things to know about the new Blood Pressure guidelines

Often dubbed as the ‘silent killer’, high blood pressure or hypertension is a deadly condition that can damage the heart, brain, kidneys, and arteries, with little or no warning. Seeing the urgency and the rising cases of hypertension, the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) have released new guidelines explaining the important things about Blood pressure and how it should be tackled.

It is imperative to understand these guidelines to know the proper connection between hypertension and issues such as cognitive decline, stroke, and other medical complications. Here are the top 10 essentials everyone should be aware of

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High blood pressure occurs when the force of blood is pushing against the walls of the arteries. It is measured using two numbers, the top number (systolic) and the bottom number (diastolic).

Systolic is the pressure when the heart beats, and diastolic is the pressure when the heart rests.

High blood pressure is most of the time linked to brain health. It is known to increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Imagine, even the slightest rise in your blood pressure can strip away the memory. The association suggests a new target (upper number) goal of under 130 mm Hg, especially to protect the brain

High blood pressure is one of the leading risk factors for a heart stroke. The lower the numbers, the bigger the impact is. The new guidelines define 130/80 mm Hg as the new normal and not 140/90 mm Hg.

The blood pressure is divided into 6 major categories: Normal (less than 120), elevated (120-129), stage 1 hypertension (130-139), stage 2 hypertension (140 or higher), severe hypertension (higher than 180), and hypertensive emergency (higher than 180).

Those who are in the normal ranges of BP might only need tiny tweaks to regularise their blood pressure. Minor lifestyle changes and not medication might be the right answer to your prayers. Unless one develops any risk factor, such as severe headache, change in vision, abdominal pain, chest pain, significant swelling, or shortness of breath.

By now, we are all aware of what tiny lifestyle changes can do for us.
Watch the salt intake: Adults should consume about 2300mg or less per day (that is about 1 teaspoon of salt or less)
Consume foods that are low in sodium and rich in the goodness of vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and fruits, and lean protein. And of course, limit alcohol consumption to prevent high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is likely to occur in pregnancy or after it, including what is called preeclampsia, which is termed a serious condition. Keep your blood pressure checked and under control. Consult a medical professional to talk about treatment options.

Anyone can develop high blood pressure. It has no link to being old or unhealthy. People are encouraged to get regular checkups, including people of all age groups: children, young adults, adults, and older adults. What contributes to this rise in blood pressure is poor lifestyle habits.

To get the best blood pressure reading, sit in a chair with support for your back, both feet flat on the ground, arm extended and supported at heart level, stay quiet and still.

If one is overweight or obese, losing about 5% of the weight can help lower or prevent high blood pressure. Carrying extra weight puts more strain on the organs and heart, which over time can raise the blood pressure in obese individuals.

DASH diet stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. It is what we basically call a healthy eating plan, specifically for those who have high blood pressure. It focuses on foods that are rich in nutrients such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium. It is undoubtedly the best diet to manage hypertension, but before adopting this, please consult a medical health professional.

This is only meant for informational purposes. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional if you have any health concerns.