In 1970, normal blood pressure was 160/95. In 1985, it was 140/90. Now, 120/80 is considered elevated. The American Heart Association has changed “normal” blood pressure to 110/70. What happens when the numbers are lowered? More prescriptions for blood pressure meds are written. Sales go up. This is not medicine, this is marketing.
The AHA and ACC (American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology) in August 2025 just released hypertension “updated” guidelines, shifting 10 points lower across all categories in order to make more people diagnosed as hypertensive to prescribe more drugs. (1)
The new guidelines are based on results of a large, federally funded study called SPRINT, backed by pharmaceutical businesses and stockholders…which found a 25% “relative risk” reduction in cardiovascular events using a lower blood pressure target.
25% reduction was the “relative risk reduction” not the “absolute risk reduction.” Relative risk reduction is considered useless and misleading, whereas absolute risk reduction is the actual percent helped by an intervention. The absolute reduction in cardiovascular events was only 2%. SPRINT also used an especially high-risk population, so patients with low or average risk for cardiovascular events had 0% benefit or absolute reduction.
Does lower blood pressure always mean better health? Not necessarily. Some primary care doctors challenge that belief. “Once you get to a certain point, if you lower blood pressure further, your rate of stroke and heart attack increases,” says Dr Andy Lazris, primary care doctor and Right Care Alliance council chair. A research study in 2019 in the UK showed that older, frail people lived longer with higher blood pressure levels. (2)
Doctors are reportedly paid based on their patients reaching new hypertension targets. This is clearly a conflict of interest. The new guidelines suggest that people be treated initially with two drugs, resulting in more sales, more pay for doctors, and increase risk of adverse side effects.
It is known that blood pressure meds often have side effects, such as kidney and electrolyte abnormalities, dizziness, insomnia, joint pain, heart palpitation, tiredness, headache, gout, low sodium and potassium, and more.
Treating high blood pressure with medicine is a risky intervention. Your optimal blood pressure can be achieved through diet and lifestyle changes. A whole food, nutrient dense diet consisting of low sugar, no seed oils, no processed foods may normalize blood pressure for you.
Prioritizing the minerals magnesium, potassium and sodium will help regulate normal blood pressure. Dr. David Brownstein advocates using an unprocessed mineral salt such as Redmond’s Real Salt or a quality Celtic or Himalayan salt daily to regulate blood pressure. (3)
To determine individual mineral levels in the body, consider a multi-faceted approach involving blood tests, urine tests and a hair mineral analysis. Unfortunately, there is no single testing method that determines individual mineral levels. If you choose to supplement your diet, the safest approach is to take a magnesium supplement up to bowel tolerance. Our Natural Living staff can advise which magnesium supplement may be best for you and to further discuss the topic of blood pressure.
3 https://drronehrlich.com/dr-david-brownstein-holistic-health-and-debunking-the-low-salt-myth/
(DISCLAIMER: The information provided has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner.)