The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology have released new treatment guidelines that sharply lower the threshold for high blood pressure, also called hypertension. As a result, tens of millions of Americans now qualify for the diagnosis.

The new guidelines have raised a number of questions for patients. Here are a few answers.

Who needs treatment now?



Anyone with a 10 percent or greater risk of heart trouble — a stroke or heart attack — in the next decade. That works out to about half of all Americans, and 80 percent of those over age 65.

How do I know my risk?

The new guidelines recommend that you use an online calculator. Try this one: ccccalculator.ccctracker.com.