Why Blood Pressure Guidelines Changed
Author: Dr. Vrolijk | Updated: August 23, 2025 | Disclaimer | Review Process | References
In 2017, millions of Americans suddenly had high blood pressure – even though their numbers stayed the same. The guidelines changed, and what used to be “prehypertension” is now considered high blood pressure.
Why did this happen? Is your blood pressure actually worse than before?
This page explains what changed, why, and how the new guidelines are better for your health.
On This Page:
What Changed
Key Changes in 2017
- High BP used to start at 140/90 → Now starts at 130/80
- “Prehypertension” eliminated → Now called “Elevated”
- Treatment may start earlier to prevent heart problems
Before 2017
- Normal: Under 120/80
- Prehypertension: 120-139/80-89
- Stage 1: 140-159/90-99
- Stage 2: 160/100 or Higher
After 2017
- Normal: Under 120/80
- Elevated: 120-129/under 80
- Stage 1: 130-139/80-89
- Stage 2: 140/90 or Higher
Who Decides What's Normal?
In the United States, major medical organizations create the guidelines. This includes hundreds of doctors and researchers who review the latest studies to make sure doctors are using the best treatments.
What Made Them Look at Blood Pressure Guidelines Again?
For years, doctors noticed that many people who had blood pressure under 140/90 were still having heart attacks and strokes. This made researchers wonder: Could lowering blood pressure even more prevent some of these heart attacks and strokes?
To find out, they did a large research study with almost 10,000 people. This was called the SPRINT trial. It was one of the largest and most important blood pressure studies ever done.
Why Did the Change Happen?
When there is good evidence that something is wrong, medical guidelines change. This ensures doctors are practicing the most up to date medicine. It’s like when your phone gets a software update. The company found a better way to make your phone work, so they update everyone’s phone to the improved version.
For blood pressure, this evidence was from the SPRINT Trial.
The SPRINT trial was one of the largest blood pressure studies ever done.
The Question: Is it safer to aim for blood pressure under 120/80 or under 140/90?
The Test: Researchers studied 9,361 adults age 50 and older with high blood pressure and increased heart disease risk, but without diabetes or prior stroke.
The Groups:- Group 1: Got treatment to keep blood pressure under 120/80 (intensive treatment)
- Group 2: Got treatment to keep blood pressure under 140/90 (standard treatment)
The Timeline: 2010-2015 (study was stopped early because results were so clear)
What It Found:
Fewer deaths: People whose blood pressure goal was under 120/80 had about 1 in 4 fewer deaths over 3 years.
Fewer heart attacks and strokes: The lower blood pressure group had fewer heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.
The benefit was so obvious that researchers stopped the study early. This was because it was unfair to not give people with a goal of 140/90 the better treatment.
Bottom line: Lowering blood pressure more (to under 120/80 instead of under 140/90) prevented more heart attacks, strokes, and deaths.
What to Read Next
All of Our Pages on Blood Pressure
Resources We Used
2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines | JACC. Accessed July 11, 2025.
Effects of different regimens to lower blood pressure on major cardiovascular events in older and younger adults: meta-analysis of randomised trials. BMJ. 2008;336(7653):1121-1123.
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