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The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology have issued new guidelines to help manage blood pressure. These guidelines recommend limiting alcohol consumption, with men advised to consume no more than two drinks per day and women no more than one.
Alcohol intake raises both systolic and diastolic blood pressure over time, as noted in a report published on August 14th. The data indicate that avoiding alcohol altogether reduces the risk of hypertension, while reducing consumption by at least 50% can lead to healthier blood pressure levels.
The updated guidelines also advise doctors to recommend treatment for stage 1 hypertension rather than just stage 2.
In addition to limiting alcohol and salt intake, experts urge adopting a heart-healthy diet like the DASH eating plan. This includes meals rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and low-fat or nonfat dairy products, while also incorporating lean meats and poultry, fish, and non-tropical oils.
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Regular physical activity is recommended, with experts suggesting at least 75-150 minutes of exercise per week.
The guidelines emphasize that most adults get their sodium intake from packaged and restaurant foods rather than adding salt to home-cooked meals. Therefore, it’s important to check the sodium content in your food and use potassium-enriched salt substitutes when possible.
Despite these measures, heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally, affecting nearly half (46.7%) of U.S. adults with higher-than-normal blood pressure. This includes those with stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension, where systolic blood pressure is between 130-139 mm Hg and diastolic between 80-89 mm Hg for stage 1, and 140 mm Hg or higher for systolic and 90 mm Hg or higher for diastolic in stage 2.
