In this month’s newsletter I want to highlight the 2025 ACC/AHA high blood pressure guideline (published August 14, 2025). High blood pressure is a leading, modifiable risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and many other comorbidities. The new guidelines are exciting because they refine blood pressure definitions and emphasize lifestyle interventions for some patients with mildly elevated blood pressure instead of immediately starting medication. Below is a brief summary of the guidelines:
- Earlier detection and treatment are stressed and are based on your overall heart risk, not just a single blood pressure number.
- Normal blood pressure is under 120/80 mm Hg. Readings of 130/80 mm Hg or higher may be considered high and should be followed up with home monitoring. (If you need help choosing a validated home cuff, see validateBP.org.)
- Heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or a high 10‑year cardiovascular risk, lower our threshold for treatment.
- If your cardiovascular risk is low and your blood pressure is 130–139/80–89 mm Hg, lifestyle changes are the first step; medication may be added if blood pressure remains elevated.
Tips to help maintain normal blood pressure:
- Be active: aim for at least 150-300 minutes/week of moderate aerobic activity (brisk walking) or 75-150 minutes/week of vigorous activity, plus strength training 2 days/week.
- Reduce sodium: aim for <2,300 mg/day; limit processed and fast foods.
- Eat potassium-rich foods (i.e. bananas, sweet potatoes, beans, lentils, spinach, etc.) - potassium helps blunt sodium’s effect on blood pressure.*
- Limit alcohol: no more than 2 standard drinks/day for men and 1/day for women.
- Maintain a healthy weight: if indicated, losing even 5–10% of body weight can lower blood pressure.
