The 2012 Canadian hypertension education program recommendations for the management of hypertension: blood pressure measurement, diagnosis, assessment of risk, and therapy

Can J Cardiol. 2012 May;28(3):270-87. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2012.02.018.

Abstract

We updated the evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis, assessment, prevention, and treatment of hypertension in adults for 2012. The new recommendations are: (1) use of home blood pressure monitoring to confirm a diagnosis of white coat syndrome; (2) mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists may be used in selected patients with hypertension and systolic heart failure; (3) a history of atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertension should not be a factor in deciding to prescribe an angiotensin-receptor blocker for the treatment of hypertension; and (4) the blood pressure target for patients with nondiabetic chronic kidney disease has now been changed to < 140/90 mm Hg from < 130/80 mm Hg. We also reviewed the recent evidence on blood pressure targets for patients with hypertension and diabetes and continue to recommend a blood pressure target of less than 130/80 mm Hg.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Blood Pressure Determination / methods
  • Canada
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Education, Medical, Continuing / standards
  • Evidence-Based Medicine / standards
  • Female
  • Health Education / standards
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / complications
  • Hypertension / diagnosis*
  • Hypertension / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Monitoring, Physiologic / methods
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic / standards*
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Assessment
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents