The Biggest Myth About Blood Pressure You Need to Stop Believing - Yahoo Lifestyle

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if your blood pressure measures 120 systolic and 80 diastolic, or "120 over 80," you fall into the normal range of what is considered healthy.

After all, you want to avoid the increased risk of a stroke or heart attack that is associated with high blood pressure.

But just when you thought you had one less thing to worry about, a recent study has found that having "normal" blood pressure is far from a guaranteed protector against heart disease.

The June 2020 study, published in JAMA Cardiology, examined nearly 1500 patients in hopes to gain a better understanding of what level of heart disease risk was associated with normal blood pressure (again, 120/80)—specifically in patients who didn't have any other major risk factors for heart conditions.

The researchers focused on increases in systolic blood pressure (the top number in your blood pressure reading) with age, adjusting the data for changes in other heart risks.

The results indicated that for every 10 mm increase in systolic blood pressure, "the risk of calcium deposits and cardiovascular events rose accordingly," The New York Times reported on the study's findings.

According to the American Heart Association, the hormones that the body releases during times of stress (like cortisol and adrenaline) "prepare the body for the 'fight or flight' response" by constricting blood vessels—which, in turn, temporarily raises your blood pressure.

Chronic stress can lead to heart disease which drastically increases the risk of having a heart attack.

A new study suggests that people with Type O blood are less likely to get COVID-19 and less likely to get severely ill if they do contract it.