In this Q&A, he explains the new standards and how you can keep your blood pressure in the normal range below 120/80. The change meant 30 million more American adults have high blood pressure.īrian Bostick, MD, PhD, is an MU Health Care cardiologist.

Systolic refers to pressure during heart contractions, and diastolic refers to pressure between beats. The new definition of Stage 1 high blood pressure is a systolic pressure of at least 130 or a diastolic pressure of 80 or above. The odds increased in November when the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology issued new standards that lowered the threshold for the diagnosis of hypertension.

If you’re an American adult, there is a 46 percent chance you have high blood pressure.