High blood pressure is redefined as 130 in US, not 140

- AFP file pic

LOS ANGELES: High blood pressure was redefined Monday (Nov 13) by the American Heart Association, which said the disease should be treated sooner, when it reaches 130/80 mm Hg, not the previous limit of 140/90.

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.