New high blood pressure guidelines create new at-risk classification: changes in blood pressure classification by JNC 7.
High blood pressure has become increasingly prevalent and is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) has redefined normal blood pressure as less than 120/80 mm Hg and created a new blood pressure category called "prehypertension" for those with a systolic BP of 120 to 139 mm Hg or a diastolic BP of 80 to 89 mm Hg. This new blood pressure category was created to identify adults considered to be at risk for developing hypertension and to alert both patients and healthcare providers of the importance of adopting lifestyle changes. Recognition of prehypertension provides important opportunities to prevent hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
Miller
Edgar R
ER
Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. ermiller@welch.jhu.edu
Jehn
Megan L
ML
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D003245:Consensus Statements as Topic; D003971:Diastole; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000145:classification* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D008019:Life Style; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D012307:Risk Factors; D013599:Systole