New 2025 Hypertension Guidelines: What You Need To Know

New 2025 Hypertension Guidelines: What Nigerians Need to Know to Protect Their Hearts and Brains

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, remains one of the leading causes of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and premature death worldwide. In Nigeria, it’s estimated that over 30% of adults live with hypertension, often without knowing it. That’s why the release of the new 2025 American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) hypertension guidelines—as widely reported by CNN—matters to all of us.

These updates are not just for doctors; they affect how early you should check your blood pressure, when to start treatment, and how to protect your long-term brain health.

At HubPharm Africa, our mission is to make sure you understand these changes so you can take control of your health.

1. Blood Pressure Categories Remain the Same

The definitions introduced in 2017 still apply:

Category	Systolic (Top Number)	Diastolic (Bottom Number)
Normal	<120 mm Hg	<80 mm Hg
Elevated	120–129 mm Hg	<80 mm Hg
Stage 1 Hypertension	130–139 mm Hg	80–89 mm Hg
Stage 2 Hypertension	≥140 mm Hg	≥90 mm Hg

Even slightly elevated readings are now considered important because they can lead to heart damage over time.

2. Earlier Treatment for High-Risk Patients

One of the biggest changes is when to start medication:

• If you have Stage 1 hypertension and a 10-year heart disease risk of 7.5% or higher (using the new PREVENT™ risk calculator), your doctor may recommend medication plus lifestyle changes immediately.
• If your risk is lower, lifestyle changes come first—but if your blood pressure stays high, medication may still be needed.

3. Target Blood Pressure for Most Adults: <130/80 mm Hg

The new guideline strengthens the target:

• Aim for less than 130/80 mm Hg in most adults, including those with diabetes or kidney disease.
• Lowering blood pressure to this range not only protects the heart but also reduces the risk of dementia and cognitive decline later in life (WHO on brain health).

4. Lifestyle First: Stronger Advice on Alcohol

The new recommendations give even stronger emphasis on lifestyle:

• Limit or eliminate alcohol—even moderate drinking can raise blood pressure.
• Follow a DASH-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy.
• Reduce sodium (salt) intake to less than 1,500–2,300 mg daily.
• Increase potassium-rich foods (unless you have kidney problems).
• Maintain a healthy weight, be physically active, and manage stress.

5. Combination Therapy for Many Patients

If you have Stage 2 hypertension (≥140/90 mm Hg), the guideline suggests starting two medications together—preferably in a single-pill combination—to improve control and adherence.
The first-line options include:

• ACE inhibitors or ARBs
• Calcium channel blockers
• Thiazide diuretics

6. Special Guidance for Pregnant Women

For women with chronic hypertension during pregnancy:

• Start treatment if BP is ≥140/90 mm Hg.
• Use pregnancy-safe medications.
• Low-dose aspirin (81 mg daily) is recommended to reduce preeclampsia risk (AHA pregnancy guidance).

Why This Matters for Nigerians

In Nigeria, late diagnosis and poor treatment adherence are major reasons hypertension causes early heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure.
At HubPharm Africa, we provide:

• Home blood pressure monitoring devices (shop here)
• Free pharmacist consultations to review your medications
• Lifestyle coaching to help you make lasting changes
• Auto-refill services so you never miss a dose

Conclusion

The 2025 AHA/ACC guidelines are clear:

• Know your numbers early.
• Act quickly if you’re high-risk.
• Aim for <130/80 mm Hg.
• Lifestyle changes are powerful—especially cutting alcohol and salt.

Your blood pressure is not just a number; it’s a powerful predictor of your future health. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

👉 Check your blood pressure today.
👉 Talk to a HubPharm pharmacist about your risk and treatment options.

For more trusted health tips, visit www.hubpharmafrica.com