[CBO guideline 'High blood pressure' (revision)]

The revised CBO guideline 'High blood pressure' details the present scientific knowledge about the detection, diagnosis and treatment of elevated blood pressure as well as the implementation of this knowledge in practice. For both systolic and diastolic increased blood pressure the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality gradually increases. The blood pressure is considered to be elevated if the systolic pressure is > or = 140 mmHg and/or the diastolic pressure is > 90 mmHg. For individuals aged 60 years and over, without diabetes, familiar hypercholesterolaemia or overt cardiovascular disease, 160 mmHg is the cut-off value for elevated systolic pressure. Depending on age or blood pressure level, the diagnosis 'elevated blood pressure' is established after 3 or 5 measurements over a period of some weeks (3 measurements) to 6 months (5 measurements). Where elevated blood pressure is diagnosed, lifestyle recommendations should be considered first and only if these provide insufficient results should medicinal treatments be adopted. The indication area for treatment is laid down in the case of elevated blood pressure and an absolute cardiovascular risk of 20% per 10 years. When the absolute cardiovascular risk is between 10% and 20% per year, treatment may be considered. For treatment the target value is the same as the criterion for elevated blood pressure.