NewsABC Action News (WFTS) — NewsAugust 12, 2026Hillsborough
New cardiovascular risk guidelines could make 23 million more Americans eligible for blood pressure medication
Updated guidelines from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology expand the criteria for blood pressure treatment, potentially identifying 23 million adults who were not previously considered eligible for medication. The study suggests that aggressive treatment for these individuals could prevent over 200,000 deaths over the next decade.
Read the full story at ABC Action News (WFTS) — NewsWhy It Matters
Millions of Americans may now be advised by their doctors to begin blood pressure medication based on new risk assessment tools that consider factors like kidney function and blood sugar alongside blood pressure readings.
Key Facts
- Approximately 200,900 all-cause deaths and 162,600 cardiovascular deaths could be prevented over 10 years under the new guidelines.
- Nearly 23 million adults with high blood pressure and no prior cardiovascular disease are newly eligible for medication under the 2025 guidelines.
- Of the 23 million newly eligible adults, 9.7 million are currently untreated.
- The new PREVENT tool incorporates blood sugar, kidney function, and decade-long heart disease risk into treatment decisions.
- Ideal blood pressure is defined as below 120 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic.
- Eligible patients who receive medication show a 23% lower risk of all-cause mortality and a 50% lower risk of heart-related mortality.
- Adults with diabetes are identified as the group that would benefit most from the new treatment guidelines.
- Approximately 50% of US adults with high blood pressure do not regularly take their prescribed medication.
- The study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey spanning 2009 to 2018.
Who's Mentioned
personLeana Wen“Emergency physician and CNN contributor”personAndrew Freeman“Cardiologist and director of cardiovascular prevention at National Jewish Health”organizationAmerican College of Cardiology“Co-author of the updated guidelines”other80“Ideal diastolic blood pressure threshold”personMustafa Al-Jarshawi“Lead study author and cardiologist at Keele University”organizationAmerican Heart Association“Co-author of the updated guidelines”other120“Ideal systolic blood pressure threshold”