Hypertension Screening in Adults Yields Substantial Net Benefit

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force reaffirms its 2015 recommendation, including blood pressure monitoring outside of the clinical setting.

Sponsoring Organization: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)

Background

The USPSTF has updated its 2015 recommendation for screening for hypertension in adults (NEJM JW Gen Med Nov 15 2015 and Ann Intern Med 2015; 163:778).

Key Points

The USPSTF concluded, with a high level of certainty, that screening for hypertension in adults without known hypertension has substantial net benefit. However, diagnostic confirmation requires blood pressure (BP) determinations outside the clinical setting (A Recommendation).
The USPSTF did not find clear evidence to support specific screening intervals but suggests every 3 to 5 years for young adults (age, 18–39) with normal BP and without additional risk factors, and annually for older adults (age, ≥40)…

Reviewing Author

Thomas L. Schwenk, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Thomas L. Schwenk, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Hypertension Screening in Adults Yields Substantial Net Benefit

Topics

Background

Key Points

Reviewing Author