What’s Changed in Blood Pressure Care – and Why It Matters
Posted February 17, 2026
Blood pressure has a way of creeping up when we’re not paying attention. Subtle shifts in temperature, diet, stress and activity level can quietly push numbers higher, even for people who feel otherwise healthy. If you already live with high blood pressure, you may find yourself paying closer attention to your numbers and reinforcing healthy habits like staying warm, choosing low-sodium foods, keeping active and drinking plenty of water.
But here’s something you might not know: the long-standing high blood pressure guideline from 2017 has officially been updated. A new guideline, issued in August 2025, offers clearer, more personalized recommendations to help people manage their blood pressure and protect their long-term health.
Developed by the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC), the updated guideline reflects several important changes driven by the latest research.
Here’s what’s new:
- A stronger link between blood pressure and brain health
We’ve long known that high blood pressure affects the heart, but newer studies show it can also impact memory, cognitive function, and dementia risk. Because of this, the updated guideline recommends earlier treatment and encourages adults with high blood pressure to aim for a systolic (top number) goal of under 130 mm Hg to help protect the brain as well as the heart.
- A smarter tool for understanding your long-term risk
The PREVENT risk calculator, launched by the AHA in 2023, can estimate your 10- and 30-year risk of cardiovascular disease if you’re between ages 30-79. It pulls in details like age, sex, blood pressure, cholesterol levels – and even your zip code – to help reflect social factors that may influence health. PREVENT is designed to give a more complete picture of your overall heart risk.
- More tailored medication strategies
Managing blood pressure isn't one-size-fits-all. For people with conditions like Type 2 diabetes, kidney disease or obesity, it’s increasingly common to need more than one medication. The new guideline continues to recommend starting with two medications in many cases and notes that newer therapies, such as certain GLP-1 medications, may play a role for some patients.
- A renewed focus on lifestyle
Healthy habits remain the foundation of blood pressure management. Eating nutrient-dense foods, choosing low-sodium options, managing stress, moving your body regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight are all proven ways to lower blood pressure and improve overall well-being. The guideline emphasizes these lifestyle steps more strongly than ever.
- Clearer guidance for high blood pressure during pregnancy
Blood pressure changes during pregnancy can be serious – before, during and after delivery. Prompt monitoring and treatment help reduce risks such as preeclampsia, stroke, kidney issues and early delivery. Managing blood pressure in pregnancy also protects long-term heart health for parents.
As for blood pressure criteria, categories remain the same as the 2017 guideline:
- Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg
- Elevated blood pressure is 120-129 mm Hg and <80 mm Hg
- Stage 1 hypertension is 130-139 mm Hg or 80-89 mm Hg
- Stage 2 hypertension is ≥140 mm Hg or ≥90 mm Hg
Nearly half of all adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure – and it’s the #1 preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The updated 2025 guideline aims to help more people understand their personal risks, intervene earlier and protect their heart and brain health for years to come.
If you’re concerned about your blood pressure or simply want to better understand your risk, talk to your doctor or reach out to the Summa Health Heart and Vascular Institute at 330.376.7000. Prevention, early detection and thoughtful management can make a big difference – helping you live a longer, healthier life.
About the Author
Vitality eNews Sign Up
Receive the Summa Health eNewsletter for the latest health tips, advice and updates.
Related Blogs
What is a pulmonary embolism?
As we continue to navigate the long-term effects of COVID-19, one condition that has raised concerns is myocarditis – an inflammation of the heart muscle. While rare, COVID-19-related myocarditis has been observed at significantly higher rates compared to pre-pandemic levels. Here’s what you need to know about how COVID-19 can affect the heart, its symptoms, risks and how to protect yourself.
How Does Myocarditis Affect the Body?
When you have myocarditis, your…
Maintaining good cardiovascular health can help you enjoy a longer, healthier life. Cardiovascular health refers to the overall well-being of the heart and blood vessels, ensuring they function efficiently to circulate blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Strong cardiovascular health reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke and other serious conditions.
Heart disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. In the U.S…
High blood pressure, or hypertension, can be a silent disease — without any warning signs or symptoms — and many people may not even realize they have it. But without treatment, high blood pressure can greatly increase your risk for a heart attack and stroke.
Monitoring your blood pressure is the only way to know if you have high blood pressure. That’s why it’s important to check it regularly — at every healthcare visit and between…
Each time you visit a doctor’s office, your blood pressure is probably taken. This is one of the many vital sign checks that helps your provider keep tabs on your health. Just as some people are prone to heart disease based on their genetics and family history, blood pressure is an important predictor of future heart disease. While the risks associated with high blood pressure are well known, blood pressure that’s too low also can cause problems.
Blood pressure is…
Balancing blood sugar isn’t only for people with diabetes. Lowering blood sugar can help prevent a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is a growing problem in this country. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) estimates almost half of Americans battle high blood sugar on a daily basis. According to the ADA, about 11 percent of Americans have diabetes, while another nearly 35 percent have prediabetes. People with high blood sugar, known as hyperglycemia, are at an…
Donating blood is a life-saving gift. Every two seconds, someone in this country needs blood, according to the American Red Cross.
While it’s a fact that your blood donation can save more than one life, you may be fearful of it because of several myths surrounding blood donation. Summa Health debunks 8 common myths about donating blood to ease your mind and encourage you to give this year. There is always a need for donors. Blood has a short shelf life, so maintaining…
When you cut yourself and injure a blood vessel, blood clotting is an important process that seals your wound and prevents excessive bleeding. Once your injury is healed, the body naturally dissolves the blood clot.
Blood clots can also form inside the blood vessels without an injury and do not dissolve naturally. This can become life-threatening and cause long-term effects, such as breathing problems or chronic swelling.
Any blood clot that forms in your veins or arteries can…
Reviewed February 2025
There’s good reason why blood pressure readings are taken first at all routine doctor visits. Almost half of American adults have high blood pressure, known as hypertension, according to the American Heart Association. It’s a very common condition, especially as you age.
Your blood pressure is determined both by the amount of blood your heartpumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and…
Atrial fibrillation (also called AFib) is a chaotic, or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), at least 2.7 million Americans are currently living with AFib and it is estimated that by 2030 more than 12 million Americans will have AFib.
With normal electrical conduction, impulses originate from an area in the top right corner of the heart…
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disorder where the immune system’s antibodies mistakenly attack the body’s healthy cells. Because it can affect nearly any organ in the body, symptoms vary widely and can include:
In times of intense stress, does it ever feel like someone is squeezing your heart? Do you feel pain or numbness down your left arm? Does it seem like you get indigestion each time you exercise?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be suffering from angina. Angina occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. The pain can be mild or severe and often follows exertion or stress.
Angina is not a disease, but instead a symptom of a more…
Listen to this episode of the Healthy Vitals Podcast featuring Roger Chaffee, MD.Almost half of all adults in the United States have high blood pressure, but many are not aware of it. High blood pressure is dangerous and can be a silent killer if gone untreated. That’s why it’s so important to understand what causes it and how to keep it controlled.
First – what is high blood pressure?
In order to survive, your tissues and organs need oxygenated blood to circulate throughout the body. When your heart beats, it creates pressure that pushes…
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the US. Over 600,000 people - roughly 1 in 4 individuals - die each year. Heart disease can place you at a much higher risk for stroke and other vascular diseases.
Carotid arteries are blood vessels in the neck that supply blood flow to the head and brain. If vascular disease develops in carotid arteries, that can lead to a higher risk of stroke. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) are dilations or swellings of the main blood vessel in the abdomen. As AAAs enlarge, the wall becomes thinner and is at risk for bursting which can be a life threatening emergency.
Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)
So you just found out that you have high blood pressure (HBP). Well, you’re not alone. Almost half of adults in the U.S. have it – and most don’t even know it.
Fortunately, hypertension – the medical term for HBP – can typically be controlled with the right medication and lifestyle changes. In fact, lifestyle modificationslike healthier eating and regular exercise may be able to do more than just…