Dr. Eugene Yang explains the new standards for blood pressure

Now more than ever, high blood pressure continues to be a leading cause of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and death. Dubbed the ‘Silent Killer’, due to its symptomless nature, hypertension impacts 1/3rd of adults in the US, and with the new lowered standards, this number increases to nearly ½ of the US population.

Last November, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) updated their high blood pressure guidelines, applying new numbers for health care providers to utilize when determining if a patient has high blood pressure. Previously, a blood pressure of >140/90 was considered high, but in the new guidelines, a blood pressure >130/80 is the new standard.

Dr. Eugene Yang, clinical associate professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiology and member of the ACC Cardiovascular Prevention Council and Official Reviewer for the new blood pressure guidelines, had a chance to talk with Marni Hughes to discuss the new guidelines and what they mean for those at risk of high blood pressure. The updated guidelines will hopefully increase awareness about the importance blood pressure monitoring, leading to earlier detection and treatment with a focus on lifestyle changes (i.e. diet, exercise, smoking cessation).

To read and watch the full interview with Marni Hughes, visit the Q13 Fox webpage for the complete article.