New blood pressure guidelines advise earlier treatment and lifestyle changes to prevent major health issues.

New guidelines from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology recommend a more aggressive approach to managing high blood pressure, emphasizing early treatment and lifestyle changes to prevent heart disease, kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, and dementia. Individuals with systolic blood pressure between 130-139 should first try lifestyle modifications and, if effective, avoid alcohol. Medication should be considered if blood pressure doesn't improve within three to six months. The guidelines maintain the same goal for blood pressure: less than 120/80 mm Hg is normal, and 120-129/80 mm Hg is elevated.