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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – In an effort to prevent costly and life-threatening chronic diseases, public health messages change as we learn more about certain conditions. To lower the risk for heart disease and stroke the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiologists (ACC) recently announced revised blood pressure categories.
The purpose of these changes is to diagnose individuals earlier and help them lower their blood pressure instead of waiting for the condition to become more advanced. The biggest change in the new guidelines is that previously high blood pressure was diagnosed with readings of 140/80. Now high blood pressure will be diagnosed at 130/80, which will categorize more people as having high blood pressure. Worldwide close to 14% more adults will be diagnosed as having high blood pressure, including 31 million more Americans.
Not all experts agree that these changes will have meaningful outcomes on the risk for heart disease. The AHA/ACC guidelines for blood pressure follow the general pattern of health care recommendations that are normally widened, rather than narrowed, to capture people before they are in an unhealthy state. The problem with widening the definition of a condition is that now more people are classified as unwell which in itself has the potential for harm.
Dr. Katy Bell of the University of Sidney has some serious concerns about the new blood pressure guidelines which she details in JAMA Internal Medicine. Dr. Bell estimated that 2.4 million additional Australians will now be diagnosed with high blood pressure and she believes that many of these patients are at low risk for heart disease. She argues that a simple diagnosis of hypertension is enough to increase the risk for anxiety and depression in some patients, creating a second health condition that may require treatment. She is also concerned with the cost of medications for those without coverage and the potential for drug side effects.
Her collaborator, Professor Paul Glasziou of Bond University is concerned about setting systolic blood pressure of 130 as the new threshold for hypertension. Systolic blood pressure can vary for each person from one reading to another depending on external factors. Your systolic (top number) pressure is affected by talking during the reading, stress, previous exercise, what you recently ate, and even crossing your legs. Having a full bladder and not going to the bathroom before a blood pressure reading can increase systolic pressure by 10 to 15mmHg. Diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure provides less changeable readings.
Regardless of all these concerns, there is a benefit to having your blood pressure measured and treated when it falls into the range that could be harmful to your health.
Here are the new blood pressure categories which will help you better understand your blood pressure readings at your next doctor’s visit and provide you with information to discuss what treatment, if any, is the best for you.
Normal: Less than 120/80
Elevated: Systolic between 120 to 129 and diastolic less than 80.
Stage 1 Hypertension: Systolic between 130 to 139 or diastolic between 80 to 89.
Stage 2 Hypertension: Systolic 140 or higher and diastolic 90 or higher.
Hypertensive Crisis: Systolic over 180 and/or diastolic over 120. If your blood pressure is at this level you need to consult with your doctor immediately.
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Jo-Ann Heslin, MA, RD, CDN is a registered dietitian and the author of 30 books. Available as eBooks from iTunes and Kindle/Amazon:
Diabetes Counter – the most up-to-date information on managing diabetes
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Healthy Wholefoods Counter – planet-friendly eating made easy
Complete Food Counter – food counts and nutrition information at your fingertips
Fat and Cholesterol Counter – newest approach to heart-healthy eating
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