title: Assessment of blood pressure in patients with hypertension aged 60-79 years before and after the publication of the 2014 Eighth Joint National Committee report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In late 2013, the Joint National Committee (JNC 8) published hypertension treatment recommendations endorsing a goal blood pressure (BP) of < 150/90 mmHg starting at age 60 years. This was in contrast to other cardiovascular groups recommending age 80 years for this BP goal. This study examined mean BP in patients from age 60 years to 79 years with hypertension before and after publication of the JNC 8 recommendations.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective cohort study examined mean BP and number of antihypertensives for a period of 1 year before and after the release of the JNC 8 report. Patients aged 60-79 years with hypertension receiving care at a University of Colorado Hospital primary care clinic were included. Patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or kidney transplant were excluded. A total of 150 BP measurements were included in each of the before and after time frames. The primary outcomes were change in mean BP and number of antihypertensives.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 171 patients met the criteria and were included in the study. Most had BPs in both the before and after time frames. Mean BP values were similar in the before and after groups (130.2/75.9 mmHg versus 131.5/76.6, respectively; p = 0.27/p = 0.46). Mean number of antihypertensives were similar in the before and after groups (1.95 versus 1.93, respectively; p = 0.79).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Over 1 year at an academic health system, new recommendations from the JNC 8 did not affect mean BP or number of antihypertensives in older patients with hypertension. A similar investigation after more time or in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension may help determine the full impact.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Cy W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Fixen
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Saseen
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Vande Griend
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 12850 E. Montview Blvd, Mailstop C238, Aurora, CO 80045, USA sunny.linnebur@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: Sunny A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Linnebur
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents
keywords: aged; evidence-based medicine; guideline adherence; hypertension