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Tighter control of high blood pressure may dramatically
reduce the number of people who die from high blood pressure-related
illnesses, according to a newly published report from the Joint
National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment
of High Blood Pressure.
“The focus of these new guidelines is to start
earlier, at blood pressure levels once thought to be ‘borderline
elevated’ and to treat aggressively, commonly with more than
one or two medicines,” explains Craig Lundgren, MD, cardiologist
at Saint Joseph Health Center. “Blood pressure readings between
120 to 139 systolic (the top number in a blood pressure reading)
now describe a new category of people with ‘prehypertension.’
Adoption of healthy lifestyles by all individuals but especially
in this prehypertensive group is critical for the prevention of
high blood pressure.” Lifestyle modifications include weight
reduction, dietary sodium restriction, physical activity and limited
to moderate alcohol consumption.
High blood pressure is the most common disorder in the
United States, affecting over 50 million people. Thirty percent
of Americans remain unaware that they have high blood pressure.
“As the population ages, the number of people developing
high blood pressure will increase unless broad and effective measures
are implemented,” says Dr. Lundgren. “Even with a normal
blood pressure (less than 120mm over 80mm) at age 55, the lifetime
risk of developing high blood pressure exceeds 90 percent.”
“The evidence is clear that people with high blood
pressure, even those in the prehypertensive range are at higher
risk for heart attack, heart failure, stroke and kidney disease,”
says Dr. Lundgren. “Education on high blood pressure will motivate
individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles and may drastically reduce
illnesses related to this common disorder.”
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