[Update on Current Care guidelines: hypertension].
Diagnosis is based on sitting blood pressure averaged across duplicate measurements taken on at least four occasions. To reduce the overall cardiovascular risk, effective lifestyle-guidance is delivered. Drug treatment is initiated, if (1) the systolic pressure is at least 160 mmHg or diastolic at least 100 mmHg, or (2) the systolic pressure is at least 140 mmHg or diastolic at least 90 mmHg and the patient has diabetes, renal disease, target organ damage or clinically significant cardiovascular disease. The general goal is to lower the systolic pressure below 140 mmHg and diastolic below 85 mmHg. Often a combination of drugs is needed.
D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*