Blood Pressure 101: Understanding the New Guidelines

Written By Judy Doherty

Why is high blood pressure bad for you?

High blood pressure is one of the most modifiable cardiac disease risk factors. Research has shown that having high blood pressure can result in more heart attacks, stroke, and dementia.

By keeping your blood pressure in the normal range, you can be assured of having better health as you age. It is a good idea to monitor and document your blood pressure over time and talk to your doctor about the results.

Prevalence: over 46% of all adults have hypertension and up to 90% are at risk for this condition at some point in their life.

UPDATED: Classifications of blood pressure readings:

From 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 Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines dated August 2025

Notes:

Classifications are assigned based on an average of 2 or more careful readings except when pregnant.

Adults with SBP and DBP in 2 categories should be designated to the higher BP category

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Judy Doherty

I am a food, beverage, and CPG product photographer specializing in photos, stop motion, and video, with over 90,000 photos and motion graphics delivered. Clients hire me for my eye, creative direction, and passion for taking their idea to the next level.

My strength lies in a nimble and lean creative process. Clients love getting creative content at a reasonable cost since my studio can art direct, style, and shoot their images quickly and on budget. My studio features an extensive surface library and prop house with a fully equipped kitchen and two shooting studios.

My experience as a chef, stylist, and photographer has earned many awards, including APA Top 100, ACF Gold Medal, and a juried fine art photo exhibit at Art Basel Miami. I was Executive Pastry Chef for two Hyatt Hotels and Resorts before completing two post-baccalaureate certificates for Visual Art and Graphic Design at U.C. Berkeley Extension in San Francisco.

https://judydohertyphotography.com
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