Hey bodybuilders, what is your blood pressure?

[MuscleMecca Crew]

The American Heart Association made a change! Do you have high blood pressure now?

ANAHEIM, California — Nearly half of American adults are at risk for major health problems because of high blood pressure, according to a new scientific guideline that redefines the dangerous condition and provides tactics for doctors to detect, treat and prevent it.


People with readings of 130 as the top number or 80 as the bottom one now are considered to have high blood pressure, according to the guideline released Monday by the American Heart Association. High blood pressure used to be defined as 140/90.


The change means 46 percent of U.S. adults are identified as having high blood pressure, compared with 32 percent under the previous definition. A blood pressure of less than 120/80 still will be considered normal, but levels at or above that, to 129, will be called “elevated.”


The new guideline is designed to help people take steps to control their blood pressure earlier, according to the authors. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world.


“Yes, we will label more people hypertensive and give more medication, but we will save lives and money by preventing more strokes, cardiovascular events and kidney failure,” said Kenneth Jamerson, M.D., Ph.D., professor of internal medicine and hypertension specialist at the University of Michigan Health System. He is one of 21 experts on the guideline writing committee. “If you are going to put money into the healthcare system, it’s to everyone’s advantage if we treat and prevent on this side of it, in early treatment.”

The recommendations for a heart-healthy diet include reducing salt and incorporating potassium-rich foods such as bananas, potatoes, avocados and dark leafy vegetables. The guideline also gives specific suggestions for weight loss, quitting cigarettes, cutting back on alcohol and increasing physical activity.


The guideline, the first comprehensive one in 14 years, homes in on making sure doctors’ offices and patients understand how to accurately measure blood pressure and diagnose hypertension in the first place.


Hypertension occurs when the force of blood pushing against vessel walls is too high. This added pressure causes the heart to work too hard and blood vessels to function less effectively. Over time, the stress damages the tissues within arteries, which can further damage the heart and circulatory system.


Often called the “silent killer” because there are often no obvious symptoms, hypertension accounts for more heart disease and stroke deaths than almost all other preventable causes. It’s second only to smoking.

Source: https://news.heart.org/nearly-half-u-s-adults-now-classified-high-blood-pressure-new-definitions/

 

[BigHulk]

mine is pretty high

 

[Alexandoy]

This is a good thread for thought. I remember when I was younger, my blood pressure was constant at 110/70. And when I aged, it rose slightly to 120/70 and later to the so called normal blood pressure of 120/80. Now that I am a senior, the numbers have changed to 130/80 when I am active although it simmers down to 120/80 when I am rested. You see, hard workout is not for me because my body may already be complaining.

 

[Kakashi2020]

I've got 130/85, I just checked it now but I was sure that I had it at 110/70 a week ago, maybe it's because of the heat it's midday when I checked it. Well it's the heat or the 2 cups of coffee I took earlier.