New guidelines issued by leading heart experts have put the spotlight on how blood pressure affects the risk of heart attacks and strokes among people of all ages, even as young as age 45. The new guidelines lower the numbers at which people should be concerned, take action, and possibly be treated for high blood pressure.

Previous guidelines defined high blood pressure as 140/90. New guidelines set the number at 130/80. According to an article in the New York Times, “The number of adults with high blood pressure, or hypertension, will rise to 103 million from 72 million under the previous standard.”

The risk of high blood pressure rises with age. So whether or not your numbers concern you now, here are “17 Effective Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure” from healthline.com.