Systolic Blood Pressure Goal According to JNC Guidelines
According to JNC 7, the systolic blood pressure goal for a patient with hypertension is <140 mmHg (Answer C), making this the correct answer based on the Joint National Committee guidelines specifically referenced in the question. 1, 2
JNC 7 Standard Recommendation
- The Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) established a treatment goal of <140/90 mmHg for individuals with hypertension without other compelling conditions. 1
- This <140/90 mmHg target applies to most adults under 60 years of age according to JNC recommendations. 1
- JNC 7 defined Stage 1 hypertension as systolic BP 140-159 mmHg or diastolic 90-99 mmHg, with the treatment goal being to reduce pressure below these thresholds. 1, 2
Age-Specific Modifications in JNC 8
While the question asks specifically about "JNC" guidelines, it's important to note that JNC 8 later modified the recommendation for older adults, raising the systolic threshold to <150/90 mmHg for patients aged 60 years and older without diabetes or chronic kidney disease. 3, 4 However, the standard JNC 7 goal of <140 mmHg remains the most widely recognized JNC recommendation for the general hypertensive population. 1
Important Context About Current Practice
- The 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines (which superseded JNC recommendations in clinical practice) lowered the target to <130/80 mmHg, representing a more aggressive approach than JNC guidelines. 5, 1
- Despite newer guidelines, when specifically asked about "JNC" recommendations, the answer remains <140 mmHg systolic, as this was the cornerstone goal established by JNC 7 for general hypertensive patients. 1, 2
Clinical Pitfall to Avoid
Do not confuse JNC guidelines with ACC/AHA guidelines—while ACC/AHA now recommends <130/80 mmHg, the JNC standard remains <140/90 mmHg for most patients, making Answer C the correct response to this specific question about JNC guidelines. 1