More Americans meet criteria for high blood pressure under new guidelines

Under the new guidelines, more Americans qualify as having high blood pressure. Peter Dazeley/The Image Bank via Getty Images

Nearly half of all Americans have high blood pressure – a condition called hypertension.

Hypertension is the No. 1 risk factor for heart disease and stroke. In addition, hypertension increases risk of dementia and cognitive decline. Heart disease, stroke and dementia are the first-, fourth- and sixth-leading causes of death in the U.S. Unfortunately, only 1 in 4 people with a history of high blood pressure have this condition under control.