What can we expect from new guidelines?

Abstract

New guidelines for the treatment of hypertension are being published, starting with the seventh report of the US Joint National Committee. These guidelines are certain to address the major developments that have been presented over the past few years. These include the risks of any level of increased blood pressure, either alone or in concert with other known risk factors; the value of out-of-office blood pressure measurements; the preventive potential of lifestyle changes; the results of multiple prospective comparative trials, which have largely negated the quest for the best initial choice of therapy; and the need to increase adherence to enough therapy to reach the appropriate goal for each patient.