AHA Issues New Guidelines on High Blood Pressure
The American Heart Association (AHA), in collaboration with the American College of Cardiology, has released updated guidelines for managing high blood pressure, emphasizing earlier intervention with medications and lifestyle changes.
High blood pressure remains a major health concern, affecting nearly half of U.S. adults (46.7%). It is the leading cause of death both in the United States and globally.
The updated guideline, published in August 2025, maintains the same blood pressure categories first established in 2017:
- Normal: less than 120/80 mm Hg
- Elevated: 120–129 and less than 80 mm Hg
- Stage 1 Hypertension: 130–139 or 80–89 mm Hg
- Stage 2 Hypertension: 140 or higher, or 90 or higher
What’s New in 2025?
The revised guideline introduces several important changes:
- Earlier use of medication for patients with stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension, in addition to lifestyle modifications.
- PREVENT risk calculator: the first tool to combine cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic health measures to better estimate overall disease risk.
- Links to brain health: recognition of new research connecting high blood pressure with an increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline.
- Expanded laboratory testing: new recommendations include assessments of kidney function as part of the initial evaluation.
- GLP-1 medications: acknowledgment that newer treatments may benefit overweight or obese patients with hypertension.
Healthy Lifestyle Still a Priority
Despite the expanded role of medications, the guideline reinforces that a healthy lifestyle remains the foundation of blood pressure management. The AHA continues to stress the importance of eating a balanced diet, staying active, and maintaining a healthy weight.
“These new recommendations reflect the growing understanding that high blood pressure impacts far more than the heart—it affects brain, kidney, and overall health,” the AHA noted in its release.
