From the Guidelines
Hypertension (HTN) is defined as a blood pressure reading of 130/80 mmHg or higher, according to the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) hypertension guideline. This definition is crucial in identifying individuals with hypertension, as it is a significant risk factor for the development of many comorbid conditions, such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and chronic kidney disease 1. The implications of this definition are substantial, as an additional 14% of the adult U.S. population (or 31 million additional Americans) meets the criteria for hypertension, highlighting the need for routine screening and early detection 1.
Key aspects of hypertension include:
- It is a common health problem affecting both men and women, with over 75% of individuals meeting the criteria by the eighth decade of life 1
- Undiagnosed hypertension is a significant public health concern, particularly in younger patients, with up to 33% of men aged 20 to 44 years with hypertension unaware of their condition 1
- The asymptomatic nature of hypertension can lead to challenges in detection and adherence to treatment, emphasizing the importance of routine screening and education 1
- Recognition, diagnosis, education, and effective management are critical to reducing the long-term morbidity and mortality associated with hypertension, particularly in high-risk populations such as African American persons 1
The updated 2020 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) clinical practice guideline provides a comprehensive framework for assessing and managing patients with high blood pressure, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based practice in reducing the burden of hypertension 1.
From the Research
Definition of Hypertension
- Hypertension (HTN) is a medical condition characterized by excessively high blood pressure, which can lead to cardiovascular disease and other health problems.
- The definition of HTN is not explicitly stated in the provided studies, but they discuss the relationship between blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
Blood Pressure Targets
- The study 2 defines the systolic blood pressure target range as 120 to 140 mm Hg.
- The study 3 mentions that a blood pressure reduction from baseline over the examined range had little effect on the risk of myocardial infarction and predicted a lower risk of stroke.
Relationship between Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Disease
- The study 3 found that a change in blood pressure from baseline by -34/-21 mm Hg was associated with a lesser risk of stroke without any significant increase in the risk of myocardial infarction.
- The study 2 found that a higher percentage of systolic blood pressure time in target range was associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease.
- The study 2 also found that the association between systolic blood pressure time in target range and cardiovascular disease risk was stronger among individuals aged <65 years than their older counterparts.