U.S. heart health groups say nearly half of Americans should receive earlier treatment for high blood pressure, including lifestyle changes and medications.

The new guidelines are the first set published since 2017. Updates include instruction for doctors to recommend treatment to those with Stage 1 hypertension rather than just Stage 2, and the recommendation that Americans limit the amount of alcohol they consume to a maximum of one drink per day for women and two for men.

New guidelines from the AHA and ACC, released August 14, 2025, address high blood pressure in adults, affecting nearly half of Americans. The focus is