TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The criteria for high blood pressure has changed, putting more than 40 percent of Americans in the "at risk" category.
For year, adults with a blood pressure reading of 140 over 90 were said to have hypertension. Now, it's 130 over 80.
High blood pressure is known to be a "silent killer" as most Americans living with it are unaware that they have it. If left untreated, high blood pressure could lead to kidney failure, cardiovasular disease, or even a stroke.
Many who suffer from hypertension take medication to help lower their blood pressure, but sometimes, a simple lifestyle change can do the trick. Working out, changing your diet, reducing stress, or even losing weight can all help reduce blood pressure.
"What we're doing here is our functional training," said Jaye Danforth who is the owner of American Fitness and a personal trainer. "We're training the way our bodies move as human beings. Movement is medicine. That is what's going to help people hopefully get off these medicines."
Byron Potter, who changed lifestyle and no longer needs blood pressure medication says, "The routines that Jaye and her staff put me through got me to the point where I lost weight. I was able to come off the blood pressure medicine."
Even with lifestyle changes to combat high blood pressure, only a doctor can decide when to stop taking a medication.
