Nearly Half Americans Have High Blood Pressure Under New Guidelines

Nearly Half Americans Have High Blood Pressure Under New Guidelines

The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology recently released their new guidelines defining high blood pressure and unfortunately it is not good for the American population.

Previously, high blood pressure was defined as 140/90 or higher, but recent findings show we need to be more stringent.

Under the new guidelines normal blood pressure will be defined as 120/80.

With this recent change in guidelines it means that nearly half of Americans have high blood pressure.

These numbers are alarming as high blood pressure and heart disease are the leading cause of deaths after smoking and having high blood pressure doubles your chances of a heart attack or stroke.

For the full report watch this quick 3 minute video with Dr. Mehmet Oz on NBC’s Today Show.