Cardiology guidelines lower blood pressure thresholds

New medical guidelines from the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and the European Society of Cardiology are lowering the thresholds for diagnosing hypertension. Under the new standards, blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg or higher is classified as too high, while values between 120/80 mmHg and 129/80 mmHg are considered elevated.

In the United States, these changes affect tens of millions of people. Research published in JAMA suggests that earlier pharmacological intervention could prevent more than 200,000 deaths over the next decade. The new guidelines emphasize that blood pressure norms vary by age, with specific targets for newborns, children, and seniors.

The impact is also significant in Poland, where an estimated 10 to 12 million adults suffer from hypertension. Experts note that hypertension remains a leading cause of stroke and heart attack, accounting for one in five deaths in the country.