DALLAS — A study estimates that 65 million Americans or one in three have high blood pressure. That's up 30 percent from the 50 million who did in the previous decade.
Data comes from a report in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association. While reasons for the increase were not cited, the aging population and increasingly overweight and obese Americans most likely played a role.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is defined as 140 over 90 or higher. Ideal blood pressure is less than 120 over 80. High blood pressure can be treated with medicine and lifestyle changes including being more active, eating less fat, eating more fruits and vegetables and reducing salt intake.