New American guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation and management of high blood pressure - a brief overview and critical comments
2018
Abstract
The 2017 American guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation and management of high blood pressure (BP) in adults provides a new definition of hypertension. Hypertension is now defined as a BP >=130/80 mmHg.
There is also a new BP categorization. Initiation of antihypertensive medication is recommended for most patients at BP values >=130/80 mmHg.
Only in individuals in primary prevention and at estimated 10-year cardiovascular disease risk =140/90 mmHg. The goal BP for most patients with hypertension is <130/80 mmHg.
For initiation of antihypertensive drug therapy, first-line agents include thiazide diuretics, calcium-channel blockers, and ACE inhibitors or ARBs.