1. How is hypertension defined and classified? The Eighth Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (Joint National Committee 8), published in 2014, continues to classify hypertension by the degree of…
Introduction The formal classification and blood pressure (BP) threshold to define an individual as having hypertension continues to vary based on available evidence. The appraisal of such evidence by professional associations and societies has led to different BP thresholds adopted…
Background The term “guideline” needs to be defined before any meaningful discussion can occur about their need and more importantly, interpretation. “Guideline” was originally defined as “a cord or rope to aid a passer over a difficult point or to…
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined by laboratory findings of a decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to less than 60 mL per minute per 1.73 m 2 or evidence of renal parenchymal injury (i.e., albuminuria > 300 mg/day) present…
Primary, formerly essential, hypertension accounts for about 90% of cases of hypertension. Reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with primary hypertension reduces the risk for cardiovascular (CV) events including myocardial infarction, stroke, and congestive heart failure as…
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease. Affecting up to 30% of the population, when hypertension is well controlled it reduces the risk of…
Control of circulating blood volume is a tightly regulated physiological process and is critical for maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis. Under normal homeostatic conditions, there is extensive cross-talk between the kidney and the heart (the “cardiorenal axis”) that is essential for regulation…
Additional content is available online at Elsevier eBooks for Practicing Clinicians Primary hypertension is a key contributor to premature morbidity and mortality in the United States and consistently ranks among the top two risk factors worldwide for global disease burden…