Updates in Hypertension Management - 2017

Management of hypertension will continue to evolve as new studies provide us more evidence on many relevant aspects of care for this very common condition. To define hypertension, we need to be able to measure blood pressure (BP) accurately and make it easily reproducible. The mercury sphygmomanometer has been a standard tool to measure BP, but it is evident that it will be phased out soon and replaced by electronic BP devices — both for clinic and home use. There is increasingly more awareness of the benefits of out-of-office (clinic) BP measurement to estimate extent of BP control and also prognosis. The goal for BP treatment has also evolved and, for the first time in decades, there has been a suggestion that a lower-than-140/90 mmHg target is associated with further reduction in adverse cardiovascular outcomes. There is, however, a need for more pills and an increased risk of treatment-related side effects. The choice of which anti-hypertensive to use, as well as the goal of treatment, should be individualised and discussed with the patient.