criteria for high blood pressure has new guidelines

[rcjordan]

Whew! This is going to be tough given the average 1st World diet. (No soy sauce for you!!)

Now, patients have "elevated blood pressure" if their blood pressure is 120-129 over less than 80 mm Hg, or stage 1 hypertension if they are 130-139/80-89. 140/90 or more is considered stage 2 hypertension, and a reading of 180/120 or greater is a hypertensive crisis.

https://theconversation.com/more-americans-meet-criteria-for-high-blood-pressure-under-new-guidelines-263507


FWIW: I've been averaging 126/67 (pulse 65) since TAVR and BP Rx change.  This morning was 119/64 (pulse 58).  I've been on a low sodium diet ^{(sodium avoidance would be a better description)} for 7-8 years now and that's reflected in my labs. I cannot use potassium-based salt substitutes --tough on kidneys. I'd estimate that my daily intake averages between 2000-1500 milligrams per day.

[Brad]

I'm wondering if these new criteria will eventually lead to consumers demanding reduced salt in prepared and processed foods.

[rcjordan]

You know the answer.

[littleman]

>Now, patients have "elevated blood pressure" if their blood pressure is 120-129 over less than 80 mm Hg, or stage 1 hypertension if they are 130-139/80-89. 140/90 or more is considered stage 2 hypertension, and a reading of 180/120 or greater is a hypertensive crisis.

As folks become seniors there seems to be risks of BP going the other direction as well.  My grandmother had mildly high BP in her 70s, but went the other direction in her 80s and 90s.  I've also seen the salt restriction taken too extreme with a couple of seniors to the point where they've needed medical intervention.

[ergophobe]

Low BP in seniors, whether naturally or through medication, brings fall risk.. we were just talking about that somewhere.

I traditionally had lowish BP (110/60) but lately I'm up to 120/75. The first time, I thought it was a fluke. Now I've been wondering if it is because I have been trying to increase sodium intake. Probably need to balance it with more potassium if I'm going to do that.