New guidelines from the are changing the definition of high blood pressure.
Patients with blood pressure previously considered pre-hypertension now fall into the Stage One category.
, director of the at the , says more people will now be diagnosed with high blood pressure.
鈥淭he statistic that we had previously of 1-in-3 U.S. adults having hypertension changes now into 1-in-2 U.S. adults having hypertension. So the actual numbers, for a diagnosis of hypertension, start at 130 systolic 鈥� that鈥檚 the upper number 鈥� and 80 diastolic, which is the lower number.鈥�
Thomas believes the change recommended by the study will raise awareness and lead to lifestyle modifications.
