| More than half of Americans will have hypertension, or high blood pressure, by age 40. It's the leading cause of heart disease, which is the #1 cause of death for men and women in the country. The condition is also linked to increased risk of kidney disease and dementia. Because you can't feel the pressure in your blood vessels, the condition is often called a silent killer. Here's the latest guidance from medical professionals on how to treat it:
🩸 New guidelines include the decades-old advice about the benefits of a low-sodium diet. They also emphasize lifestyle changes like exercise, stress reduction and limiting alcohol.
🩸 Evidence shows that people with a systolic blood pressure of 140 or higher would benefit from taking two medications. Research shows that one medication alone is often not enough to lower blood pressure to the desired range.
🩸 Diuretics are often used to treat hypertension by helping the body get rid of extra salt and water. ACE inhibitors block the production of a hormone called angiotensin II, and help relax the blood vessels and calcium channel blockers that slow down the movement of calcium into cells, which can help lower pressure.
🩸 A new medication targeting a hormone that helps regulate fluid and sodium in the body is gaining interest. The drug is not yet available, but new study results could pave the way for a new treatment option for hypertension. | 
