Condition known as ‘silent killer’ that impacts half of all Americans is now easier to diagnose

New guidelines for managing high blood pressure could help millions of Americans manage blood pressure earlier according to PBS News.

Nearly half of all Americans have high blood pressure, which is a leading contributor to heart disease, stroke, and dementia, and only 25% have it under control, the outlet reported.

In August 2023, the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology published updated guidelines for the management of high blood pressure, based on updated scientific findings collected during the previous decade, PBS news said.

The guidelines eliminated the old “prehypertension” group and stiffened the diagnostic criteria for hypertension as well as reduce the target values for managing blood pressure, the report described.

Now, readings of 120–129 mm Hg sys