US says high blood pressure begins with a reading of 130/80 and no longer 140/90

High blood pressure was redefined on Monday by the American Heart Association, which said the disease should be treated sooner, when it reaches 130/80, not the previous limit of 140/90.

“High blood pressure is now defined as readings of 130mm Hg and higher for the systolic blood pressure measurement, or readings of 80 and higher for the diastolic measurement,” said the guidelines.

Doctors now recognise that complications “can occur at those lower numbers,” said the first update to comprehensive US guidelines on blood pressure detection and treatment since 2003.

The new standard means that nearly half (46 per cent) of the US population will be defined as having high blood pressure.

Previously, one in three (32 per cent) had the condition, which is the second leading cause of heart disease and stroke, after cigarette smoking.