PRIMARY HYPERTENSION

SUMMARY

1. 95% of all HTN is primary (i.e., essential, idiopathic).

2. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) define the stages of HTN (the average of > 2 readings taken from each of > 2 visits after the initial screening).

3. Threshold for pharmacologic treatment are defined in JNC 8 based on age, diabetes, and CKD:
• General population < 60 years: < 140/90 mmHg
• General population > 60 years: < 150/90 mmHg
• All ages, if CKD or diabetes: < 140/90 mmHg

4. Goal: SBP < 150 mmHg and DBP < 90 mmHg, which reduces stroke, heart failure, and CHD. Strong Recommendation, Grade A.

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].