National
Desk
| May 15, 2003, Thursday
U.S.
Guidelines Reassess Blood Pressure
By DENISE GRADY (NYT) 1326 words
Late Edition - Final , Section A ,
Page 32 , Column 4
ABSTRACT
- New government guidelines use term
prehypertension to define blood pressure
that is 120 to 139 milimeters of mercury
systolic or 80 to 90 distolic; National
Heart, Lung and Blood Institute says people
with blood pressure within this range are
likely to develop high blood pressure and
should be urged to try to lower their
pressure through lifestyle changes; cites
studies showing that artery damage and
increased risk of cardiovascular disease can
begin even at blood pressure levels that
until recently were though to be normal;
chart (M) Millions of people who in the past
would have been told that their blood
pressure was normal or ''high normal''
should now be told that they actually have a
condition called prehypertension that
threatens their health, according to
guidelines issued yesterday by government
health experts.
The new category includes 45 million
Americans whose blood pressure is 120 to 139
millimeters of mercury systolic (the top
number) or 80 to 90 diastolic (bottom
number). People with readings in this range
do not have high blood pressure yet and do
not need to take medication.
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