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Published on: May 3, 2018
[Recently published European and American guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension]
P A van Zwieten1, H A Struijker Boudier, P W de Leeuw
1Academisch Medisch Centrum/Universiteit van Amsterdam, afd. Farmacotherapie, Amsterdam.
Insights
New hypertension guidelines from Europe and the US offer similar advice on blood pressure and risk factors but differ significantly in recommended initial pharmacotherapy. European guidelines allow more drug choices, while American guidelines favor diuretics.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hypertension Management
- Clinical Guidelines
Context:
- New hypertension management guidelines have been released by the European Society of Hypertension/European Society of Cardiology and the US Joint National Committee.
- Both sets of guidelines emphasize systolic blood pressure, additional risk factors, and combination treatment.
Purpose:
- To compare and contrast the key recommendations of the latest European and American hypertension guidelines.
- To highlight the significant differences in pharmacotherapy approaches between the two guideline sets.
Summary:
- Both European and American hypertension guidelines underscore the importance of systolic blood pressure, risk stratification, and combination therapy.
- A key divergence exists in initial pharmacotherapy: European guidelines offer broader drug class options, whereas American guidelines prioritize diuretics.
Impact:
- Physicians must be aware of these guideline differences when managing hypertension patients.
- Understanding these variations is crucial for optimizing patient care and treatment selection.
Abstract:
The European Society of Hypertension in conjunction with the European Society of Cardiology has published new guidelines on the management of hypertension. At about the same time, the Joint National Committee in the United States updated the American hypertension guidelines. Both guidelines agree on a number of issues, such as the importance of systolic blood pressure, the necessity to take into account additional risk factors and the growing emphasis on combination treatment. As far as pharmacotherapy is concerned, however, there are major differences between the guidelines. Whereas the European report permits a choice from among several classes of drugs for initial treatment, the American guidelines still consider diuretics to be the first choice.
Related Concept Videos
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure
Hypertension I: Introduction
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications
Hypertension V: Nursing Management

