title: What is the evidence base for diagnosing hypertension and for subsequent blood pressure treatment targets in the prevention of cardiovascular disease?
abstract: Diagnosing and treating hypertension plays an important role in minimising the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Early and accurate diagnosis of hypertension, as well as regular monitoring, is essential to meet treatment targets. In this article, current recommendations for the screening and diagnosis of hypertension are reviewed. The evidence for treatment targets specified in contemporary guidelines is evaluated and recommendations from the USA, Canada, Europe and the UK are compared. Finally, consideration is given as to how diagnosis and management of hypertension might develop in the future.
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) National School for Primary Care Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK. claire.schwartz@phc.ox.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Claire L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) National School for Primary Care Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK. richard.mcmanus@phc.ox.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: McManus
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents