title: Controversies Among the Hypertension Guidelines.
abstract: Hypertension affects 80 million people in the United States. It remains poorly controlled, with only 54% of diagnosed patients treated to blood pressure targets. Hypertension management is complex in part due to the volume of antihypertensive agents, variable patient needs and responses, and inconsistent design and outcomes from clinical trials. Therefore, trustworthy clinical practice guidelines have a key role in hypertension management. The United States experienced a 10-year gap in publication of hypertension guidelines, followed by multiple guideline publications in 2013. These guidelines led to more controversy than clarity, as there was discordance among them. This review summarizes the guidelines and clinical statements influencing the current debate in order to facilitate appropriate application.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Clinical and Administrative Sciences, University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy, Oklahoma City, OK, USA toni-ripley@ouhsc.edu.
authors.forename: Toni L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Ripley
authors.affiliation: Siouxland Community Health Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baumert
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents
keywords: Hypertension; controversy; guidelines