High blood pressure has long been called the “silent killer,” but new national guidelines from the American Heart Association are raising the volume on prevention and partnership. The message is clear: stop hypertension early, bring more people into the care team, and meet patients where they are.
At the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Dr. Yvonne Commodore-Mensah, Professor and Associate Dean for Research, contributed her expertise to shaping this roadmap.
Controlling hypertension isn’t just about prescribing medication—it’s about prevention, team-based care, and meeting patients where they are.
Yvonne Commodore Mensah, PhD, MHS, RN, FAAN, FAHA, FPCNA
By expanding home and remote monitoring, we can close gaps in care and improve heart health for communities everywhere.
What’s New
- Brain Health: Controlling blood pressure reduces the risk for dementia and cognitive decline
- Blood pressure during pregnancy: Hypertension in pregnancy is defined as 140/90 or higher. Monitoring before, during and after pregnancy lowers risk of short-and long-term complications.
- PREVENT risk calculator to estimate heart disease risk: A new tool to estimate one’s risk of heart disease risk in 10 and 30 years to support decisions on blood pressure treatment
- Prevention first: Lifestyle changes like diet, movement, and stress reduction take center stage.
- Care is a team effort: Nurses, pharmacists, and community health workers are recognized as key partners to control blood pressure
- Technology is standard: Home and remote blood pressure checks are no longer optional extras but tools to improve blood pressure
- Act early: Detecting and treating high blood pressure sooner helps prevent heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
Top 10 Things to Know About the New AHA/ACC High Blood Pressure Guideline
Heart Health and Health Equity
For too many people, especially in under-resourced or historically marginalized communities, high blood pressure is not just a medical diagnosis—it’s a reflection of inequities in access, education, and trust. These new guidelines call for care that reaches beyond the clinic walls, into neighborhoods, homes, and daily routines.
Building Healthier Futures
The promise of this guideline lies in its vision and implementation: one where patients are supported by a team, where prevention is prioritized as highly as treatment, and where early action protects long, healthy lives. With experts like Dr. Commodore-Mensah guiding the way, the future of hypertension care looks more connected—and more hopeful—than ever.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
SYDNEE LOGAN
Sydnee Logan, MA is Brand and Public Relations Manager at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. She shares nurse and community stories with the world.