Approximately half (46.7) of the total population of adults in the U.S. has high blood pressure, and a blood pressure chart is a tool that is necessary in discovering your health condition. High blood pressure is a major risk factor in stroke and other heart diseases such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation and therefore requires our attention. Actually, it is the first avoidable risk factor of cardiovascular disease.
Table of Contents
It is common to encounter the patient bewildered by the meaning of their numbers. Normal blood pressure should not exceed 120/80 mm Hg, however, as of 2017, the American Heart Association standards have been reduced to diagnose hypertension at 130/80 mm Hg. In this guide, we will discuss the different blood pressure levels and describe the 2025 blood pressure guidelines in simple terms and actionable terms. Be it that you are worried about your own readings or about assisting a loved one in keeping track of theirs, this overall breakdown will aid you in interpreting what your numbers may actually be telling you about your health.
![Blood Pressure Chart 2025 What Your Numbers Really Mean [Ultimate Guide]](https://essentcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Blood-Pressure-Chart-2025-What-Your-Numbers-Really-Mean-Ultimate-Guide-1024x576.png "Blood Pressure Chart 2025 What Your Numbers Really Mean [Ultimate Guide]")
Understanding the 2025 Blood Pressure Chart
The blood pressure chart of 2025 remains an important instrument to comprehend the state of your cardiovascular health. Let us find out what these figures imply to your health.
Normal, Elevated, and Hypertensive Ranges
The 2025 blood pressure groups do not differ significantly with the 2017 guidelines, and the health conditions are separated by definite limits:
• Normal blood pressure: Under 120 / 80 mm Hg.
• High blood pressure: 120-129 mm Hg (systolic): and less than 80 mm Hg (diastolic):
• Stage 1 hypertension: 130-139 mm Hg (systolic) or 80-89 mm Hg ( diastolic)
Stage 2 hypertension: 140mm Hg and above (systolic) or 90mm Hg and above (diastolic).
• Severe hypertension: Over 180/120 mm Hg no symptoms.
• Hypertensive crisis: Above 180/120 mm Hg and is accompanied by manifested symptoms such as chest pain, dyspnea or vision impairment.
What Changed in the 2025 AHA Blood Pressure Guidelines
Although the blood pressure levels have not been reduced since 2017, the 2025 guidelines contain a number of important revisions. First of all, they include the PREVENT 3 risk calculator of the American Heart Association in their estimation of the risk of cardiovascular disease in relation to cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic health factors.
Also, the guidelines have changed in favor of a systolic blood pressure of less than 120mm Hg to ensure maximum heart and brain efficiency. Moreover, they suggest the early management of hypertension to minimize the possibility of cognitive impairment and dementia.
The other significant update is increased laboratory testing suggestions. Urine albumin-creatinine is now indicated to all hypertension patients, but it was optional in 2017.
Why the New Guidelines Matter for Early Detection
Early intervention is central to the 2025 guidelines, particularly in the light of growing evidence of the association of hypertension with cognitive health. Expert opinion goes that by the time a patient reaches a geriatrician or a neurologist with memory issues, it is too late.
In addition, the guidelines point out the relationship between blood pressure in pregnancy and subsequent cardiovascular risk. High blood pressure in pregnancy puts women at risk of high blood pressure and heart diseases in their later lives.
It is another significant step toward better real-world blood pressure control that the focus on team-based care, home monitoring, and single-pill combinations is concerned. With such updates, the guidelines will oversee more individuals to effectively control their blood pressure and therefore lessen their risk of heart diseases, kidney diseases, Type 2 diabetes, and dementia.
How to Read Your Blood Pressure Numbers
It is important to understand blood pressure readings in order to keep the heart healthy. I’d like to de-numify what these figures say about the work of your heart.
Systolic vs Diastolic: What Each Number Means
Blood pressure measurements are a pair of numbers (e.g. 120/80 mmHg) that measure the various forces in your blood circulation. The highest pressure is the systolic pressure, which is the pressure that occurs in your arteries when the heart rhythmically beats and forces blood into the blood vessels. The bottom number ( diastolic ) is at the time that your heart is resting during the heartbeat.
In the case of adults over 50, more attention may be paid to the systolic reading since studies demonstrate that high systolic pressure is more closely related to the stroke risk and heart disease.
Blood Pressure Reading Chart by Age
Blood pressure is a natural variation in life. Adults now are in the following categories:
• Normal: Less than 120/80 mmHg
• 120-129 systolic; less than 80 diastolic.
• Stage 1 Hypertension 130-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic.
• Stage 2 Hypertension: 140 or above systolic or 90 or above diastolic.
• Hypertensive Crisis: More than 180/ 120 mmHg.
The normal ranges of children are different:
• Newborns (up to 1 month): 60-90/20-60 mmHg
• Infants: 87-105/53-66 mmHg
• Toddlers: 95-105/53-66 mmHg
• School-aged children: 97-112/57-71 mmHg
• Adolescents: 112-128/66-80 mmHg
Averages also differ in amount by age and sex in adults:
• Ages 18-39: Women 110/68 mmHg, Men 119/70 mmHg
• Ages 40-59: Women 122/74 mmHg, Men 124/77 mmHg
• Ages 60+: Women 139/68 mmHg, Men 133/69 mmHg[83]
Printable Blood Pressure Chart for Daily Tracking
Regular checkups are the major factor in managing blood pressure. I would suggest developing a daily journal that should include the following components:
• Date and time of readings
Systolic and diastolic values.
• Pulse rate
Short messages on situations (stress, medication changes)
To get the correct home readings always:
• Measure on a daily basis.
Take 2 or more readings at least 1-2 minutes apart.
• Sit with feet elevated on the floor and take a five-minute time span before measurement.
• Lay your arm, at the heart level, on a table[92].
What Your Blood Chart Numbers Mean for Your Health
Your future health is directly related to the readings of your blood pressure. Knowing these numbers can enable you to get into charge of your cardiovascular health.
Risks of Stage 1 and Stage 2 Hypertension
Modest blood pressure increases have an enormous effect on your health. People with stage 1 hypertension are at 35 per cent risk of cardiovascular disease over 10 years and 36 per cent lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease compared to normal results. Moreover, stage 1 hypertension increases the lifetime risk of cerebral hemorrhage by 95% data.
The most worrying is the pattern of progression- about 12.6 percent of individuals with stage 1 hypertension have evolved to stage 2 within a period of ten years and subsequently assuming a shocking 156 percent increment in 10-year cardiovascular risk.
When to Seek Emergency Care
When you read 180/120 mm Hg or above that is a hypertensive crisis that must be addressed urgently. Nonetheless, it depends on symptoms that accompany it.
This is termed as hypertensive urgency without symptoms and must be immediately followed by medical care. You have a hypertensive emergency with such symptoms as the severe headache, chest pains, vision change, or the inability to speak. Dial 911 as soon as possible–this condition may result in stroke, heart attack, kidney failure or dissection of the aorta.
Cognitive Decline and Long-Term Effects
High blood pressure is killing small blood vessels in your brain and this means memory and cognitive impairment. Particularly, this effect is independent of the timing of onset of hypertension. Research indicates that high blood pressure is a factor that speeds up the aging process in the brain due to approximately 2.7 years and influences the speed of mental processing and executive functioning.
Using the PREVENT™ Risk Calculator
The new PREVENT™ calculator assesses your risk of cardiovascular disease over 10 and 30 years in relation to your overall health. It uses kidney and metabolic health markers and it estimates risks as early as age 30, unlike earlier tools.
To prevent hypertension stage 1 (130-139/80-89 mm Hg) the 2025 guidelines suggest the initiation of medication when your total-10-year risk of CVD is at least 7.5% or higher.
Managing Blood Pressure in 2025 and Beyond
Treatment of high blood pressure is a multi-dimensional task, which keeps changing with current changes in the medical field. Now, we are going to look at some time-tested measures that can assist you in controlling your numbers.
Lifestyle Changes That Work
Lifestyle changes are the main pillars of management of blood pressure. Even a small amount of weight loss reduces your blood pressure in ways that are approximately 1mm Hg per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of weight lost. The regular aerobic exercise lowers the blood pressure by an average 5-8 mm Hg. The DASH diet high in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products has the ability to reduce blood pressure to as much as 11 mm Hg. Decreasing sodium to 1, 500 mg a day could reduce high blood pressure by approximately 5-6 mm Hg. Similarly, it is possible to cut the readings by approximately 4 mm Hg through alcohol restrictions.
Medication Options and When to Start
In stage 1 hypertension (130-139/80-89 mm Hg), medication is the treatment of choice when lifestyle alterations have failed after six months. Stage 2 hypertension (140/90 mm Hg or more) usually needs immediate medicine and alteration of lifestyle. The initial-line treatments are angiotensin-converting enzyme, angiotensin receptor, calcium channel, and thiazide diuretic. It has become commonplace, to initiate two drugs at the same time, preferably in a one-pill regimen, to treat hypertension in stage 2.
Monitoring at Home: Devices and Best Practices
Effective blood pressure management needs home monitoring. Apply a validated monitor, upper arm cuff style and automatic. Record the readings with your arm on the level of the heart after sitting quiet five minutes. Measure twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, two readings two minutes apart. Always record your healthcare provider results.
Special Considerations for Pregnancy and Older Adults
Treatment should be given to pregnant women whose blood pressure exceeds 140/90 mm Hg. High-risk pregnant women should be advised to take low-dose aspirin (81 mg per day) beginning at 12 weeks. In the case of the older adults, initiation of medication must be done carefully under close supervision of side effects.
Understanding White Coat and Masked Hypertension
White coat hypertension -only increased when the patient visits the doctor- is found in almost a quarter of patients. In the meantime, there is masked hypertension (at the doctor, normal, at home, high) and it applies to around 6 percent of the population. Both ailments need special observations with home or ambulatory blood pressure readings in order to diagnose and treat them appropriately.
Conclusion
Knowing your blood pressure numbers is one of the most important actions in the prevention of cardiovascular health. In this guide, we have covered the 2025 blood pressure chart and the real meaning of these numbers concerning your wellbeing.
Almost half of all American adults are high blood pressure patients, yet many of these people cannot read their measurements properly. And now that you know the difference between systolic and diastolic pressure, you are now capable of monitoring your heart health posing no questions.
The 2025 guidelines definitely highlight early diagnosis and intervention to a greater extent than ever. Above all, these new guidelines recognize the strong relationship that exists between high blood pressure and cognitive impairment, which gives us another strong motivation to keep our blood pressure levels normal.
Monitoring at home is a crucial part of such. A frequent checkup by the approaches we have discussed will enable you to control your health between physician visits and identify worrying trends before they are emergencies.
It is certainly your lifestyle choices that count. Minor modifications such as switching to the DASH diet, decreasing sodium consumption or creating a regular exercise program can drastically decrease your readings without any medication.
To individuals who have to be dependent on pharmaceutical intervention, the clear guidelines on when and which type of drugs work best give a roadmap on treatment. The combined use of single pills is especially useful in order to ease the process of treatment and increase its compliance.
There are special groups of people including pregnant women and the aged who have special problems that demand special solutions to blood pressure issues. It is thus necessary that these groups be working hand in hand with healthcare providers.
Management of blood pressure is finally a lifetime investment in yourself. It may not sound like it, but the impact on your heart, brain, and kidneys when you have high blood pressure is not quiet at all. By knowing your numbers today, you make a mighty leap into ensuring that you avoid grave health issues tomorrow.
Key Takeaways
Understanding your blood pressure numbers is critical for preventing cardiovascular disease, which affects nearly half of all U.S. adults and serves as the #1 preventable risk factor for heart conditions.
• Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg; hypertension now starts at 130/80 mmHg per 2017 guidelines
• Stage 1 hypertension increases cardiovascular disease risk by 35% and lifetime cerebral hemorrhage risk by 95%
• Home monitoring with validated devices twice daily provides accurate readings between doctor visits
• Lifestyle changes like DASH diet, exercise, and weight loss can reduce blood pressure by 5-11 mmHg
• Seek emergency care immediately if readings exceed 180/120 mmHg with symptoms like chest pain or vision changes
• The 2025 guidelines emphasize early treatment to prevent cognitive decline and dementia from hypertension
The new PREVENT™ risk calculator and emphasis on single-pill combinations represent significant advances in personalized blood pressure management, making it easier than ever to protect your long-term cardiovascular and cognitive health.
FAQs
Q1. What will seem like a normal blood pressure in 2025?
Normal blood pressure does not exceed 120/80 mm Hg. The 2025 guidelines have still characterized the readings of 130/80 mm Hg and above as hypertension and stressed the significance of an early diagnosis and treatment.
Q2. Is systolic or diastolic blood pressure number more important?
Although either of the numbers is important, the systolic (top) number is usually more important particularly in adults who are above 50. It is a better predictor of subsequent cardiovascular events and mortality in all age groups.
Q3. To which blood pressure level should I get emergency care?
Your blood pressure of 180/120 mm Hg or above, particularly when you experience such symptoms as intense headache, chest pains, or visual impairments, is a hypertensive crisis. Turn to the doctor immediately in this case.
Q4. What is the influence of age on normal blood pressure ranges?
As people age, blood pressure is likely to rise. An example is the age 18-39 ranges at 110/68 mm Hg average in women and 119/70 mm Hg in men or the age 60 and above at 139/68 mm Hg in women and 133/69 mm Hg in men.
Q5. What are the best lifestyle changes that reduce blood pressure?
There are several lifestyle changes that can help cut down blood pressure a lot. They are the adoption of the DASH diet (a decrease in blood pressure by up to 11 mm Hg), regular aerobic exercise (reduction as high as 5-6 mm Hg), weight loss (reduction of the same by about 1 mm Hg per 2.2 pounds lost), sodium intake reduction (reduction of up to 5-6 mm Hg), and alcohol consumption (reduction of up to 4 mm Hg).
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![Kissing bugs are mentioned in 32 states of America and this creates an emerging health risk that has not been widely known by many Americans. Although having a seemingly innocent name, these blood sucking insects are carriers of a life-threatening parasite. Indeed, according to estimates drawn by experts, more than 300,000 individuals in the United States carry the parasite that is a cause of Chagas disease, and less than 2% are aware of it. Are kissing bugs dangerous? The response is an absolute yes. Also referred to as triatomines, these insects have the capacity of spreading Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease or kissing bug disease. Significantly, autochthonous (locally acquired) human cases have been documented in 8 states with the most impressive number of infections reported in Texas. Moreover, studies indicate that out of 100 kissing bugs tested around 50 percent were infected with the Chagas parasite, which implies that the insects can even kill you, assuming the infection remains untreated. In this article, we will discuss Chagas disease, and the symptoms you should be on the lookout of, the nature of kissing bugs, and how they cause the disease. We will also share the current scientific knowledge regarding their growing number in the United States and how you and your family can prevent these harmful insects. What Are Kissing Bugs and Why Are They Dangerous? Triatomine bugs also called kissing bugs are blood sucking insects measuring about half-an inch to an inch. They got this weird name due to the fact that they tend to bite people on face. These are the insects that usually rest in cracks and crevices during the days and appear at night to feed on the blood of humans and animals. Triatomine Species Found in the U.S. There are eleven species of triatomine bugs that have been reported within the United States. They are found in 32 states but are mostly found in the southern half of the country. Triatoma sanguisuga and Triatoma protracta are the most widespread species and Triatoma gersteckeri is found in domestic environments the most in Texas. Also, four species (T. sanguisuga, T. gerstaeckeri, T. protracta and T. rubida) are common in human homes, which means that they have a higher risk of transmission. How Kissing Bugs Transmit Trypanosoma cruzi In contrast to most disease vectors, kissing bugs do not spread parasites by saliva or bite. Rather, their parasite (Trypanosoma cruzi) occupies their digestive tract and is excreted in their feces. These insects usually defecate around the place of feeding. By scratching the area a person may accidentally rub the parasite-contaminated feces into the bite wound, eyes, or the mouth, exposing the parasite to the bloodstream. Other routes of transmission may also take place, such as: During the pregnancy period, the child inherits the mother. The following ways are through blood transfusions or organ transplants. • Through eating or drinking food or liquids that have come in contact with bug feces. Are Kissing Bugs Dangerous to Humans and Pets? Indeed--these insects are very harmful to health. Research indicates that about 50 percent of kissing bugs are vectors of T. cruzi parasite. After getting infected, approximately one-third of individuals progress to the chronic stage of Chagas disease that may cause significant heart issues and gastrointestinal problems several or even several decades after infection. The risk is as well alarming when it comes to pets, particularly dogs. Infection in the canines has been reported in 23 states. The highest rate of infections is 10 to more than 50 percent in several places in Texas, which is most heavily researched on the issue. Infection of dogs normally occurs by ingestion of the bugs or contamination of feces. In addition, in addition to the transmission of diseases, even bites of kissing bugs can cause severe anaphylaxis- not least, they are the most frequent cause of insect-bite anaphylaxis in the United States. Chagas Disease: Symptoms and Stages of Infection Chagas disease has two stages once an individual contracts the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite that is carried by kissing bugs. These phases are understood to enable the condition to be identified early, avoiding life threatening complications. Acute Phase: Romaña's Sign and Flu-like Symptoms The acute phase starts as soon after infection and continues about 8 weeks. A great number of infected people have slight symptoms or are totally asymptomatic. In the case of symptomatic development, they are commonly characterized by fever, fatigue, aches throughout the body, headache, rash, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting. Apart from this, acute Chagas disease is perhaps most frequently marked by the Romaña sign, which is the unilateral swelling of the periorbits, palpebral edema, and conjunctivitis. This mainly happens when the parasite invades the conjunctiva, which mostly happens after an individual rubs bug feces contaminated with the parasite in his or her eye. Since it became common, the Romana sign is now becoming more of a rarity because of better control of vectors. Chronic Phase: Heart and Digestive Complications After the acute stage, infected persons develop the chronic stage which takes decades or even lifetime. The vast majority (70-80% ) are in the form of indeterminacy, and show no symptoms. Nonetheless, about 20-30 percent of them will ultimately get severe clinical manifestations. Chagas cardiomyopathy is the most widely occurring complication. This may be in the form of irregular heartbeat, failure of the heart or sudden cardiac arrest. More rarely, patients have digestive problems, including an enlarged esophagus (megaesophagus) or colon (megacolon), which makes swallowing or constipating hard. Can Kissing Bugs Kill You? Understanding the Risks It is a pity that, kissing bug is a deadly disease. Some 14,000 deaths are caused by chagas disease per year. Untreated Chagas disease as one expert describes it kills the heart very slowly. There are few treatment options at the moment. Anti-parasitic drugs are effective at the acute stage but have lost their effect when an individual goes into the chronic stage. Heart transplant might be required when a patient develops end-stage heart failure. As the symptoms do not manifest themselves in most cases until decades after the infection, a large number of people are not aware of their condition until severe complications can develop. This slow onset contributes to the fact that Chagas disease is especially dangerous- silent development that leads to potentially deadly consequences. New Research: Kissing Bugs Found in 28 U.S. States Recent research has documented kissing bugs across at least 28 U.S. states, with Texas A&M University's Kissing Bug Community Science program receiving reports of approximately 10,000 bugs from 31 states over the past decade. Among these insects tested from 27 different states, researchers found an average infection rate of 55 percent. States with Confirmed Autochthonous Human Cases Cases of Chagas disease that have been acquired locally have been established in eight states; California, Arizona, Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Texas has the most detailed records following its decision to report Chagas disease as a result of making it reportable in 2013. It was reported that there were 50 probable and confirmed cases of autochthonous in Texas between 2013-2023. These cases were only three diagnosed at the acute stage and 44 in the chronic asymptomatic phase. Infection Rates in Wildlife and Companion Animals The infection of T. cruzi in wildlife is very common in the southern United States. Rates are higher than 50 percent within some mammal populations; the main reservoir hosts include raccoons, opossums, skunks, and armadillos. As far as companion animals are concerned, dogs seem to be especially vulnerable. A survey of 41 states has found 7.5% of working canines had serological evidence of infection. In Texas, the reality is even worse- in one year, dogs kept in a kennel have a 30.7 percent risk of being infected. Why the U.S. May Be Hypoendemic for Chagas Disease Now scientists suggest the classification of the U.S. as hypoendemic in terms of Chagas disease. This classification (borrowed malaria classification) shows prevalence of the disease at below 10 percent of the population. The CDC recognizes that being classified as non-endemic has helped to ensure that awareness of the physicians has remained low, leading to inappropriate diagnosis and, probably, significant underreporting. As a result, majority of the infected persons are not diagnosed until they experience serious complications. How to Protect Yourself from Kissing Bug Disease It takes a complex approach to protect your family against the killer of bugs: The environment you live and your habits. Health officials argue that the most effective measure taken to counter the kissing bug disease is to ensure that one does not have a lot of contact with these parasite insects by implementing preventative strategies. Home Protection: Sealing Cracks and Removing Debris Keeping your home not so accessible to these nocturnal invaders is the first step in defense against kissing bugs: • Seal windows, doors, walls and roofs with rubber weather stripping, caulking sealant or silicone sealant. • Eliminate wood, brush, and rock piles around your home because they are habitats of kissing bugs and hosts. • Install and keep screens on all doors and windows and ensure that any hole or tear is repaired immediately. • Position outdoor lighting far behind the house or use the less attractive to insects bug light bulbs[213]. • Keep pets inside the house, particularly at night, and keep a check on their bedding. Travel Precautions in Endemic Regions When traveling to places with more kissing bugs, that is, in Latin America: Keep only in well-built rooms with air conditioning or with screened windows Sleep with bed nets impregnated with insecticides and tuck the edges together to form a physical barrier Wear all-encompassing garments that cover exposed skin and apply insecticidal repellent on exposed parts. Food Safety and Avoiding Oral Transmission In addition to physical contact, kissing bugs may transmit the disease by contaminated food: First, do not drink salads, raw vegetables, inedible fruit, or unpasteurized juices in endemic areas[181] During preparation, keep yourself and all utensils clean, where cane juice and fruit juices are mostly used in the countryside. Conclusion Kissing bugs are a major but less known health hazard in America. As it has been observed, these insects are now found in no fewer than 28 states, and about half of them harbor the harmful Trypanosoma cruzi parasite. Majority of evidence indicates that more than 300,000 Americans are already infected with Chagas disease yet less than 2 percent are aware of their infection status. This disease is dangerous especially due to its silent development. And as a matter of fact, the symptoms can take decades before it is detected when it is already too late since serious heart complications are already developed. Contrary to this expectation, treatment options can only be effective in the acute phase, which most patients miss, because of light or absent initial symptoms. Domestic animals and wildlife also stand under a great threat. Particularly dogs are exposed, and infection rates have reached an alarming level in such states as Texas. As such, care should be taken in order to safeguard human and animal members of the family. Exposure can be greatly minimized by taking preventative action at this stage. Good barriers against these insects can be created through sealing of the entry points in homes, elimination of the habitats of the bugs, and proper screens. In the same way, travellers to high risk regions are supposed to take extra precautions by making proper accommodation arrangements and defence. The fact that the United States is regarded as being in a hypoendemic state regarding Chagas disease is an alarming fact- this is a threat that has been continually underestimated. Hitherto, there has been a lack of physician awareness which has impeded the process of diagnosis. Therefore, there is a growing need to educate the people on kissing bugs and their health hazards since the number of infested zones is increasing in America. This is an emerging public health issue and we need to address it and take relevant measures to defend ourselves and the family. We can greatly lessen the effects of these harmful insects, and the disease they may cause that can be deadly, through awareness and prevention strategies and by treating as early as possible. Key Takeaways Recent studies show that kissing bugs are rapidly spreading in America and have become a silent health epidemic that needs to be addressed and prevented as soon as possible. • 28+ states in the US have kissing bugs, and half of them harbor the fatal Trypanosoma cruzi parasite that causes Chagas disease • More than 300,000 Americans already have Chagas disease, but due to decades of silent disease progression, they often do not know it, and may develop lethal heart complications later in life due to such a diagnosis being made only after it becomes fatal or fatal complications develop later in life of the illness is detected only at terminal stages, and any treatment of the disease at that point results in fatal heart problems This kissing nickname is a disguise to hide a serious danger, these insects defecate on places of bites and scratching produces parasites into your body. There is a lack of effective treatment when the chronic infection sets in, but your best defense against this growing health problem is prevention. FAQs Q1. Where has Chagas disease been acquired locally in the U.S.? Chagas disease has been confirmed locally in eight states; California, Arizona, Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi and Arkansas. Since the disease became reportable in 2013, Texas has had the largest number of reported cases. Q2. What is the mechanism of the kissing bugs in transmitting the Chagas disease? The organism known as Trypanosoma cruzi is transmitted not by bite, but through feces, by kissing bugs. Once fed, they tend to defecate in the area of the bite. Each time one scratches the region, he/she can accidentally rub the parasite-contaminated feces into the cut, eyes or into the mouth, and the parasite may enter the bloodstream. Q3. What is the chagas disease symptoms? Chagas disease is in two stages. During the acute stage, certain such symptoms can dissipate and comprise fever, body aches, fatigue and the Romana sign (eye swelling). The chronic stage may take decades, and 20-30% of the people infected may acquire severe complications such as irregular heartbeat, heart failure or gastrointestinal complications. Q4. What should I do to keep kissing bugs out of my home? In order to secure your home, close every crack and that of windows, doors, walls, and roofs. Eliminate wood, brush and rock piles around your house. Install and keep screens on doorways and window. Avoid having outdoor lights near the house or buy bulbs called bug lights. Keep pets in house and clean up their beds. Q5. Do pets cause chagas disease? Yes, pets, particularly dogs are susceptible to Chagas disease. Dogs in Texas have a high risk of infection (30.7) within one year in a kennel. Infection has been reported in 23 states in dogs with infection rates of 10% to 50+ in parts of Texas.](https://essentcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kissing-Bugs-Found-in-28-US-States-New-Research-Reveals-Growing-Risk-1024x576.jpg)
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