High Blood Pressure Now Starts at 130/80

Blood pressure of 130/80 is the new ‘high,’ according to a recent review of guidelines. This now means almost half the US population is considered hypertensive overnight.

On Monday, the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology released new blood pressure guidelines that may have you thinking twice about your salt intake. They state that anyone with a blood pressure from 130/80 to 139/89 is diagnosed with stage 1 hypertension which affects millions of Americans. These new guidelines are based on a 3-year review of 1,000 studies that the chances of dying from a heart attack or stroke are double at 130/80 vs the previous guideline of 140/90. This means 46% – almost half the US population – are now considered hypertensive overnight.

What does this new guideline mean for you?

This is not a reason to run to your doctor and request to be put on medication. This is a call to action to be proactive about your health starting today. The recommendations for stage 1 hypertension are lifestyle driven which has always been the cornerstone of how we treat hypertension at Parsley Health . Focusing on a plant-based, mineral-rich diet while managing stress and regular exercise is the key to lowering blood pressure and reducing heart disease risk.

While sodium intake often gets a reputation for being the main contributing factor to elevated blood pressure, it’s important to look at other minerals like potassium and magnesium. Research shows that an increased intake of potassium from food sources may be more effective than reducing dietary sodium intake.

Magnesium has also been studied for reducing blood pressure with studies showing an inverse relationship between dietary magnesium intake and hypertension. At Parsley Health, this a part of our comprehensive Assessment focusing on reducing your metabolic risk and testing key biomarkers without immediately resorting to medications or surgery.

Final thoughts on high blood pressure

• The majority of Americans affected won’t need medication but will need to make lifestyle changes instead.

• Natural ways to lower blood pressure include making dietary changes, managing stress with regular relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga, and exercising regularly.

• A functional doctor can help you to lower your blood pressure naturally and safely while making the appropriate supplement and/or medication suggestions.