New U.S. blood pressure guidelines lower hypertension threshold to 130/80, expanding diagnosis and stressing early lifestyle changes.

In August 2025, the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology updated hypertension guidelines, lowering the threshold for diagnosis and expanding the number of Americans classified as having high blood pressure. The new criteria eliminate the "prehypertension" category, classifying systolic readings of 120–129 mm Hg or diastolic readings below 80 mm Hg as elevated, and defining hypertension as 130/80 mm Hg or higher. A reading of 180/120 mm Hg or above signals a hypertensive crisis. The changes aim to enable earlier intervention to reduce risks of heart disease, stroke, and cognitive decline. Only about 25% of affected individuals currently have their condition under control. The guidelines stress prevention through lifestyle changes, including limiting salt to under 2,300 mg daily, reducing alcohol, following the DASH diet, exercising regularly, managing stress, and avoiding smoking. Personalized risk assessment tools are recommended to guide treatment decisions.