PubMed · 2020 · 510 citations · 0 references
MedicineCardiologyPreventive MedicineBehavioral Risk Factor ModificationDisease PreventionPreventive CardiologyBlood Pressure ControlBlood Pressure ManagementCardiovascular DiseaseHypertension ControlHypertension PreventionHypertensive DisordersBlood PressureCardiovascular Disease IncidenceCardiovascular Disease PrevalenceHypertension Guideline DevelopmentHypertension In Older AdultsHypertension Risk ReductionHypertension ScreeningPrimary Hypertension
Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Lowering blood pressure has been shown to decrease the incidences of stroke, heart attack, and heart failure (1,2). This report provides 2017-2018 U.S. hypertension prevalence estimates using the 2017 American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association definition of hypertension (3) and new guidelines, which redefine hypertension by lowering the previous threshold levels of 140/90 mmHg to 130/80 mmHg (4). This change categorizes a greater percentage of people as having hypertension.