

Careful readings means you did not just drink a caffeinated beverage, or smoke a cigarette, or exercise. To be diagnosed with hypertension, you must have two careful readings taken on two different occasions. If you fall into the Stage I or II hypertension, your doctor will prescribe medication along with the diet and lifestyle changes. Rather, you will be encouraged to make diet and lifestyle changes. If you fall into the elevated blood pressure range, the recommendations do not include medications.

There are now three categories of high blood pressure: The new guidelines state that a normal range means your blood pressure must be under 120 over 80. Previously, a blood pressure of 140 over 90 was considered normal. In 2017, new blood pressure guidelines were released by The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology.
