High Blood Pressure – How It Affects the Heart and What’s New in 2025 Guidelines

At Moolchand, our focus is not just on treating hypertension, but on preventing its long-term effects through early detection, patient education, and precision medicine,” said Dr. (Prof.) Tarun Kumar, Senior Director – Medanta Moolchand Heart Centre, Cardiology. “With updated 2025 hypertension guidelines, we now aim for earlier, more individualized intervention.”

How High Blood Pressure Affects the Heart

• Damages Arteries: Causes narrowing and stiffness, raising the risk of atherosclerosis.

• Increases Risk of Heart Attack: Promotes plaque buildup in coronary arteries.

• Leads to Heart Failure: Continuous strain weakens the heart muscle.

• Raises Stroke Risk: Disrupts blood flow to the brain, leading to ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.

What’s New in the 2025 Hypertension Guidelines

Recent international recommendations mark a shift from older approaches:

• Lower treatment thresholds: Medications now recommended for patients with BP ≥130/80 mmHg if their 10-year cardiovascular risk is ≥7.5%, or in those with diabetes or kidney disease.

• Screening for primary aldosteronism: Advised even in resistant hypertension without low potassium levels.

• Lifestyle updates: Potassium-based salt substitutes encouraged (except in kidney disease).

• CKD and Diabetes: RAAS inhibitors (ACEi/ARB) strongly recommended in patients with albuminuria.

• Pregnancy: BP control to <140/90 mmHg advised, with low-dose aspirin for preeclampsia prevention.

• Cognitive health: Target SBP <130 mmHg shown to reduce risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment.

• Resistant hypertension: Multidisciplinary management and selective use of renal denervation (RDN).

“These updates reflect a paradigm shift—from reactive to proactive blood pressure management,” explained Dr. Kumar.

Controlling High Blood Pressure

1. Lifestyle Modifications:

   • Eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

   • Incorporate potassium-based salt substitutes safely.

   • Exercise at least 150 minutes weekly.

   • Maintain a healthy weight, stop smoking, and limit alcohol intake.

2. Medication Management:

   • Use of ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, or diuretics based on individual needs.

   • Tailored therapy for patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or pregnancy.

3. Regular Monitoring:

   • Home BP tracking for early detection.

   • Periodic follow-ups for dose adjustments and risk assessment.

Why Choose Moolchand?

• Superb physicians: Led by Dr. (Prof.) Tarun Kumar and an expert cardiology team.

• Cutting-edge diagnostics: Advanced imaging, cardiac testing, and monitoring.

• Compassionate care: Personalized treatment focused on long-term wellness.

• Integrity: Transparent, evidence-based recommendations.

• Affordable excellence: World-class cardiology care within reach.

The Takeaway

The new hypertension recommendations reinforce the importance of personalized care, early screening, and targeted lifestyle interventions.

“At Moolchand, we combine compassionate care with technology and integrity to protect the heart and enhance quality of life,” Dr. Kumar said. “Controlling blood pressure early doesn’t just save the heart—it safeguards the brain and kidneys too.”

Would you like me to now condense this into a 150–200 word press release version (for news agencies or hospital media kits)?