For many years, 120/80 has been thought to be the best measurement of normal blood pressure. But new information from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) suggests that this standard might not be right for everyone. The new rules are changing how doctors check the heart health of people, especially older adults and people who already have heart problems like diabetes.
What does it mean when you get your blood pressure checked? These two numbers, systolic and diastolic, show how hard the blood is pressing against the walls of the arteries when the heart beats and when it’s not beating. High numbers can mean that you might have a health problem, like high blood pressure, which can cause heart disease, stroke, or other problems.
The new recommendations are based on a deeper knowledge of how blood pressure affects health as a whole. They know that goals that are too strict might not be good for everyone. There are also worries about people taking too many medicines, since people whose blood pressure was above 139/89 often got orders to lower it.
The new method focusses on personalised care that takes into account things like age, habits, and current health problems. It also takes into account the fact that worry, activity, and food all have an effect on blood pressure throughout the day.
Sometimes having a blood pressure reading between 120/80 and 139/89 doesn’t mean you’re sick or at risk. Instead, it shows how important it is to keep an eye on things and make changes to your lifestyle, like eating well, working out daily, dealing with stress, and controlling your salt and drink intake.
High blood pressure is still a big health problem, and results above 140/90 mm Hg need to be checked out by a doctor. Treatment methods are different for each person, and they may need to make changes to their lifestyle or take medicine.
We can see that medical knowledge is always growing by looking at how blood pressure standards are changing. Even though the 120/80 rule has worked, it’s clear that a more personalised method is needed. If you are worried about your blood pressure, learn as much as you can about it, keep an eye on your health, and talk to your doctor to figure out the best way to handle your specific case.
Ultimately, blood pressure numbers are only one part of being healthy overall. Managing your stress, eating well, and exercising regularly are all important parts of a complete plan that can help you take charge of your health and lower your risk of problems, no matter what your blood pressure reading is.
