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Published on: September 26, 2018
South African hypertension practice guideline 2014
, Y K Seedat1, B L Rayner2
1Department of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
Insights
Treating hypertension (high blood pressure) effectively reduces risks of stroke and heart failure. Current guidelines recommend blood pressure targets below 140/90 mmHg, emphasizing gradual reduction in the elderly and managing cardiovascular risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hypertension (HTN) management is crucial for preventing cardiovascular events.
- Extensive data from randomized controlled trials support the benefits of treating HTN.
- Established guidelines define target blood pressure (BP) levels and treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline current best practices for hypertension management.
- To provide recommendations for antihypertensive therapy based on evidence.
- To detail BP measurement, risk factor evaluation, and drug indications.
Main Methods:
- Guideline development by the Southern African Hypertension Society (2014).
- Review of extensive data from randomized, controlled trials on hypertension treatment.
- Stipulation of BP measurement procedures and cardiovascular risk factor evaluation.
Main Results:
- Target BP for antihypertensive management is systolic < 140 mmHg and diastolic < 90 mmHg.
- Treatment reduces the risk of stroke, cardiac failure, chronic kidney disease, and coronary artery disease.
- Gradual BP reduction over one month is recommended for the elderly.
Conclusions:
- Lifestyle modification and patient education are essential for managing HTN.
- Specific antihypertensive drug therapies (diuretics, CCBs, ACEIs, ARBs) are recommended for uncomplicated HTN.
- Combination therapy is advised for severe HTN (≥ 160/100 mmHg), with specific considerations for Black patients and resistant hypertension.
Outcomes:
Extensive data from many randomised, controlled trials have shown the benefit of treating hypertension (HTN). The target blood pressure (BP) for antihypertensive management is systolic < 140 mmHg and diastolic < 90 mmHg, with minimal or no drug side effects. Lower targets are no longer recommended. The reduction of BP in the elderly should be achieved gradually over one month. Co-existent cardiovascular (CV) risk factors should also be controlled.
Benefits:
Reduction in risk of stroke, cardiac failure, chronic kidney disease and coronary artery disease.
Recommendations:
Correct BP measurement procedure is described. Evaluation of cardiovascular risk factors and recommendations for antihypertensive therapy are stipulated. Lifestyle modification and patient education are cornerstones of management. The major indications, precautions and contra-indications are listed for each antihypertensive drug recommended. Drug therapy for the patient with uncomplicated HTN is either mono- or combination therapy with a low-dose diuretic, calcium channel blocker (CCB) and an ACE inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). Combination therapy should be considered ab initio if the BP is ≥ 160/100 mmHg. In black patients, either a diuretic and/or a CCB is recommended initially because the response rate is better compared to an ACEI. In resistant hypertension, add an alpha-blocker, spironolactone, vasodilator or β-blocker.
Validity:
The guideline was developed by the Southern African Hypertension Society 2014©.
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