A Comprehensive and Updated Hypertension Guideline

Clinical Takeaway

: These AHA guidelines emphasize benefits of earlier and more-aggressive blood pressure lowering for most patients.

Sponsoring Organizations: American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC), along with 11 other professional societies.

Background

This multisociety guideline replaces the 2017 AHA/ACC high blood pressure (BP) guideline that redefined hypertension as >130/>80 mm Hg (down from >140/>90 mm Hg). Although these BP definitions initially were controversial, lower BP treatment targets have been reinforced by additional high-quality randomized trials.

Key Points

Definitions:

BP thresholds remain the same, with normal BP defined as systolic BP <120 mm Hg and diastolic BP <80 mm Hg, elevated BP defined as 120–129 mm Hg and <80 mm Hg, stage 1 hypertension defined as BP 130–140 mm Hg or 80–90 mm Hg, and stage 2 hypertension defined …

Reviewing Author

Jennifer L. Cluett, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportAmerican Heart Association; NIH/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; NIH/National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities

Editorial BoardsHypertension

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Heart Association (President of the Greater Boston Board of Directors)