This is a strong recommendation based on high-quality evidence. The hypertension clinical practice guideline contains two recommendations.įirst, the AAFP recommends that clinicians treat adults with hypertension to a standard blood pressure target of less than 140/90 mm Hg to reduce the risks of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. In addition to coauthoring the guideline, she helped develop the clinical questions, review the evidence and systematic reviews and develop recommendations. “The AAFP guideline provides clear, evidence-based recommendations for optimal blood pressure targets for adults with hypertension.”Ĭoles also served as the guideline panel chair.

“This guideline is important because there are multiple competing guidelines with different recommendations for blood pressure treatment targets,” explained Sarah Coles, M.D., an associate professor in the Department of Family, Community and Preventive Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, and program director at the Colorado Plateau Family and Community Medicine residency program, North County HealthCare in Flagstaff, Ariz. The guideline is the signature piece of the Academy’s newly updated Hypertension Clinical Guidance and Practice Resources webpage, which features additional clinician resources, patient education materials and more. The AAFP also recommends that clinicians consider treating adults who have hypertension to a blood pressure target of less than 135/85 mm Hg to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, based on evidence showing a small additional benefit with this lower target.

Based on its review, the AAFP strongly recommends that clinicians treat adults who have hypertension to a standard blood pressure target of less than 140/90 mm Hg to reduce the risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.

Blood pressure charts for seniors