FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO) — The American Heart Association has updated its guidelines for high blood pressure, which affects nearly half of U.S. adults.

Normal remains under 120 over 80, but the big shift is recommending earlier use of medication-along with diet and exercise.

The group also warns high blood pressure may raise dementia risk, urges more kidney testing, and points to new options like GLP-1 drugs for patients who are overweight.