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Published on: September 26, 2018
Hypertension update, JNC8 and beyond
Tara Shrout1, David W Rudy2, Michael T Piascik3
1The University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Class of 2018, NIH TL1 Training Program 2016-2017, USA.
Insights
This review compares hypertension guidelines from JNC 7 and JNC 8, highlighting controversial aspects of JNC 8. It explores suboptimal blood pressure control and potential solutions for better hypertension management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Clinical Guidelines
- Public Health
Background:
- Hypertension is a leading preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- Effective treatment of hypertension reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
- Clinical guidelines, such as JNC reports, guide hypertension management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the Joint National Committee (JNC) 7 and JNC 8 hypertension guidelines.
- To critically evaluate the controversial aspects of the JNC 8 guidelines from a therapeutic standpoint.
- To discuss recent evidence impacting JNC 8 recommendations and explore reasons for suboptimal blood pressure control.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of JNC 7 and JNC 8 guidelines.
- Review of current scientific literature and evidence impacting hypertension management.
- Exploration of therapeutic strategies and potential solutions for improving blood pressure control.
Main Results:
- JNC 8 introduced modifications to JNC 7 regarding treatment thresholds, goals, and medication choices.
- JNC 8 has generated significant controversy and debate within the medical community.
- Blood pressure control rates remain suboptimal despite available guidelines.
Conclusions:
- A thorough understanding of guideline differences and controversies is crucial for optimal hypertension care.
- Addressing suboptimal blood pressure control requires exploring novel strategies like pharmacogenomics, risk stratification, lifestyle interventions, and integrative care.
- Future research should focus on refining guidelines and implementing effective strategies to improve patient outcomes in hypertension management.
Abstract:
Hypertension is the most preventable major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The etiology of elevated blood pressure is a complex process involving the interaction of genetics, demographics, comorbid disorders, and environmental influences. Effective hypertensive therapy has been shown to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. JNC reports have served as a valuable source of guidelines, and JNC 8 is the most recently updated guideline for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hypertension. It includes modification of JNC 7 regarding the threshold for therapy, therapeutic goals, and medications or combinations of medications that differ in benefits for certain patient populations. However, JNC 8 generated a significant degree of controversy. This review will evaluate JNC 7 versus JNC 8 guidelines and discuss the most controversial aspects of JNC 8 through a therapeutic perspective. This review will also discuss the most recently available evidence that has an impact on the JNC 8 recommendations. Despite the nuance of clinical guidelines, blood pressure control rates remains suboptimal. We will explore potential reasons and solutions for this dilemma including pharmacogenomics, novel risk-stratification strategies, lifestyle interventions, and integrative care.
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