Essential Hypertension: Managing Adult Patients in Primary Care

Excerpt

This national guideline provides recommendations and supporting evidence for the care of patients with persistent raised blood pressure but no obvious underlying disease (essential hypertension). The guideline recognises that successfully reducing blood pressure, and (more broadly) cardiovascular risk, involves a partnership and good communication between patients and healthcare professionals. Its objective is to decrease subsequent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality due to stroke and coronary heart disease.

Guidance is provided on: establishing when a patient has persistent raised blood pressure; using cardiovascular risk assessments; providing lifestyle advice; managing the use of blood pressure lowering drugs; addressing adherence; and stopping treatment. The guideline has been developed for use by the National Health Service in England and Wales. NHS healthcare professionals, patient representatives and researchers developed this guideline, incorporating comments received from referees and from an extensive national stakeholder consultation.