Current recommendations of the joint national high blood pressure committee.
A great deal of new information has become available in the field of hypertension since the JNC report of 1988. The JNC V report has changed the categorization of blood pressure, modified suggested drugs for initial therapy, and recommended that diuretics or beta blockers be considered the first-line drugs of choice. Information concerning the J curve and end-stage renal disease has made therapeutic goals more challenging. One of the most important additions to this report is the new information on treating elderly patients, which had been lacking until last year. The report calls on pharmacists to assist with detecting, evaluating, and referring hypertensive patients. Pharmacists must take a leadership role in promoting compliance with antihypertensive therapy and can assist other health-care professionals by suggesting therapeutic alternatives to improve efficacy, reduce the frequency of administration, and lower costs. The complete JNC V report is an essential reference for the files of any pharmacist who is responsible for the care of hypertensive patients.
Carter
B L
BL
Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois, Chicago 60612.
D001794:Blood Pressure; D003245:Consensus Statements as Topic; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States