Imagine this: You’re at your doctor’s office for a simple checkup, and suddenly… your blood pressure reads 132/84 mm Hg. This used to be considered normal. Now, it’s classified as stage 1 hypertension. Is this cause for concern or vigilance? This change in thresholds is controversial, but more importantly, it raises a crucial question: Who are these recommendations really for? And are they appropriate for everyone?
Lowered thresholds for better prevention:
Until recently, hypertension was defined as 140/90 mm Hg . Now, according to the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) , this threshold begins at 130/80 mm Hg . This is not insignificant. This new standard is based on the SPRINT study , conducted on more than 9,000 people aged 50 and over, at cardiovascular risk. Result: aiming for a systolic pressure of 120 mm Hg would reduce the risk of cardiovascular events .
But behind these figures, the reality is more nuanced . Is such a goal realistic — or even desirable — for everyone ?
Continued on next page//
