UMMC Professor Emeritus Leads Development of New Hypertension Guideline

UMMC

guideline are unchanged. That defines normal blood pressure as less than 120/80, elevated blood pressure as 120-129/80, stage 1 hypertension as 130139/80-89 and stage 2 hypertension as 140/90 or higher.

“This updated guideline is designed to support health care professionals — from primary care teams to specialists, and to all clinicians across health systems — with the diagnosis and care of people with high blood pressure. It also empowers patients with practical tools that can support their individual health needs as they manage their blood pressure, whether through lifestyle changes, medications or both,” Jones said.

Treatment for hypertension should include lifestyle changes and medications as appropriate. “There’s an abundance of studies that show the safety of lowering a patient’s blood pressure to 120/80 if it is done slowly and over a prolonged period,” Jones said.

The new guideline reaffirms the critical role a healthy lifestyle plays in preventing and managing high blood pressure, and it encourages health care providers to work with patients to set realistic, achievable goals. Healthy behaviors such as those in Life’s Essential 8, the American Heart Association’s metrics for heart health, remain the first line of care for all adults.

Blood pressurerelated guidance includes:

Limiting sodium to less than 2,300 mg per day, or about 1 teaspoon of table salt, moving toward an ideal limit of 1,500 mg per day, or about a third of a teaspoon.

Maintaining a healthy weight.

Following a heart-healthy eating plan such as DASH, which features a diet high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, lean meats and poultry and low-fat or nonfat dairy foods.

Increasing physical activity, including aerobic exercise and resistance training, to at least 75 to 150 minutes each week.

Managing stress with exercise and stressreduction techniques such as meditation, breathing control or yoga.

Consuming no alcohol or reducing drinks to no more than two a day for men and one a day for women.

“It is important for people to be aware of the recommended blood pressure goals and understand how healthy lifestyle behaviors and appropriate medication use can help them achieve and maintain optimal blood pressure. Prevention, early detection and management of high blood pressure are critical to long-term heart and brain health, which means longer, healthier lives,” Jones said.

The guideline, led by the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines, was developed in collaboration with and endorsed by 11 other health care organizations: the American Academy of Physician Associates; the American Association of Nurse Practitioners; the American College of Clinical Pharmacy; the American College of Preventive Medicine; the American Geriatrics Society; the American Medical Association; the American Society of Preventive Cardiology; the Association of Black Cardiologists; the National Medical Association; the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association; and the Society of General Internal Medicine. $10 OFF a 2 year subscription Send coupon & payment to: Magnolia Gazette 280 Magnolia St. Magnolia, MS 39652 LMA-PA