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New Guidelines Aim to Curb Hypertension Risks Across the U.S.
26 Aug
Summary
- Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure
- New guidelines focus on lifestyle changes like reducing sodium and alcohol
- High blood pressure increases risk of stroke and heart disease in Ohio
As of August 26th, 2025, the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology have released a new set of guidelines to help Americans manage high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. This is the first update to the guidelines since 2017, and it comes at a critical time, as nearly half of adults in the United States currently have high blood pressure.
The new guidelines place a strong emphasis on lifestyle changes that can help reduce blood pressure. This includes consuming less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day, with the ultimate goal of reaching 1,500 mg. The guidelines also advise that "ideally, consuming no alcohol" is the best way to decrease blood pressure, though they allow for moderate drinking of up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
These guidelines are particularly relevant for Ohioans, as high blood pressure has had a significant impact on the state. In 2022, stroke was the fifth-leading cause of death in Ohio, and more than one-third of adults in the state have been diagnosed with hypertension. However, the actual rate is likely closer to 50%, as many adults with high blood pressure remain undiagnosed.
High blood pressure can also lead to an increased risk of heart disease, which was the leading cause of death in both Ohio and the United States in 2022. Ohio's rate of deaths from heart disease was 16% higher than the national average last year.
