Guidelines for Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults

In 2014, panel members of the Eighth Joint National Committee published the results of their evidence review and deliberations about the prevention, detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood pressure.

The 2014 guideline offers recommendations for the management of hypertension in:

  • People older or younger than age 60 years
  • People aged ≥18 years with chronic kidney disease
  • People aged ≥18 years with diabetes
  • Black and nonblack populations

2017 ACC/AHA Hypertension Guideline

In 2017 the ACC/AHA and 9 other specialty organizations published an updated hypertension guideline which, among many changes, redefined elevated blood pressure to lower BP levels, enlarging the population considered potential candidates for monitoring and treatment. Learn more here.

2018 ESC/ESH Guideline

In 2018 the ESC/ESH published a guideline which retains the 140/90 threshold definition of hypertension, including for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and emphasizes lifestyle interventions as primary treatment, with consideration of antihypertensive drug therapy only in adults at very high risk, eg with established CVD. In many other respects the 2018 guideline is similar to the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline.

2017 Hypertension Guideline

The 2017 Guideline on Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults

Adam S. Cifu and Andrew M. Davis

JAMA | JAMA Clinical Guidelines Synopsis, November 20, 2017

Media Coverage of the Benefits and Harms of the 2017 Expanded Definition of High Blood Pressure

Raymond Noel Moynihan and Coauthors

JAMA Internal Medicine | Research Letter, December 28, 2018

Implications of the New American College of Cardiology Guidelines for Hypertension Prevalence in India

Nikhil Srinivasapura Venkateshmurthy and Coauthors

JAMA Internal Medicine | Research Letter, August 6, 2018

Estimated Change in Prevalence of Hypertension in Nepal Following Application of the 2017 ACC/AHA Guideline

Gulam Muhammed Al Kibria and Coauthors

JAMA Network Open | Original Investigation, July 13, 2018

Blood Pressure Control—Much Has Been Achieved, Much Remains to Be Done

Lawrence J. Fine and Coauthors

JAMA Cardiology | Editorial, May 23, 2018

The New Hypertension Guidelines: Compelling Population Benefit, Manageable Risk, and Time to Implement

Clyde W. Yancy and Gregg C. Fonarow

JAMA Cardiology | Editor's Note, May 23, 2018

The 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Clinical Practice Guideline for High Blood Pressure in Adults

Paul K. Whelton and Robert M. Carey

JAMA Cardiology | JAMA Cardiology Clinical Guidelines Synopsis, February 21, 2018

The 2017 Hypertension Guideline: What’s New and Different

Paul K. Whelton and Robert M. Carey

JAMA | Viewpoint, November 20, 2017

The 2017 Hypertension Guideline: Highlights for Clinical Practice

Philip Greenland and Eric D. Peterson

JAMA | Editorial, November 20, 2017

Cardiovascular Guideline Skepticism vs Lifestyle Realism?

Philip Greenland

JAMA | Viewpoint, December 14, 2017

Battle of the Heart Societies: Who Is Right--the US or Europe--Regarding How to Manage Hypertension?

Battle of the Heart Societies Part 2: Who Is Right--the US or Europe--Regarding How to Manage Hypertension?

Association of the 2014 and 2017 Hypertension Guidelines With Cardiovascular Events and Deaths in US Adults

Managing Hypertension Part 1: Understanding the New AHA/ACC Hypertension Guideline

Managing Hypertension Part 2: Understanding the New AHA/ACC Hypertension Guideline

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