Health experts are urging individuals to take proactive measures against heart disease by managing blood pressure earlier and reducing alcohol intake, as new guidelines from leading health organizations highlight the importance of comprehensive risk factor management. The American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC), in collaboration with 11 other organizations, have released updated guidelines on high blood pressure, aiming to address the growing risk of cardiovascular diseases. Nearly half of U.S. adults are at risk of high blood pressure, which is a leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
Following a rigorous peer-review process, the new guidelines, published on August 14, represent the first major update since 2017. They emphasize the importance of preventing cardiovascular events through early intervention and the use of the PREVENT method, which calculates a person’s risk of heart attack or stroke. The guidelines also recommend reducing sodium intake from 2,300 mg to 1,500 mg daily and advising abstinence from alcohol, with limits of less than one drink for women and less than two for men.
These recommendations are based on the latest research showing that early blood pressure control can significantly reduce the risk of dementia and improve brain health. The guidelines also stress the importance of managing blood pressure during pregnancy to protect mothers and babies. Experts continue to recommend lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and maintaining a healthy weight as crucial elements in preventing cardiovascular diseases.