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Because the risks for hypertension are so dangerous, the U.S. National Institutes of Health releases federally mandated guidelines for doctors to follow regarding the classification and treatment of high blood pressure. These high blood pressure treatment guidelines are known as the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee (JNC 7) on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure.
By following these high blood pressure treatment guidelines, doctors are able to have a nationally approved course at the ready immediately following the diagnosis of hypertension in a patient. This affords the patient the quickest and most effective way to reach blood pressure goals based on their overall, individual health. Individual blood pressure target goals are based on such conditions as history of heart failure, coronary artery disease, kidney disease, diabetes and other chronic illnesses.
High blood pressure is classified and defined as follows, according to the high blood pressure treatment guidelines:
As indicated by its name, the high blood pressure treatment guidelines put forth the basic outline and parameters within which doctors are to operate when treating hypertension. The guidelines are as follows:
For the treatment of prehypertension (blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89):
For the treatment of high blood pressure in which the readings fall between 140/90 and 159/99:
For the treatment of high blood pressure in which the readings are 160/100 or higher:
For the treatment of high blood pressure that is accompanied by organ damage or other risk factors for heart disease:
When medicines are required or suggested by doctors in order to help the patient reach their individual goals of lowering blood pressure, the high blood pressure treatment guidelines recommend the exact drugs to be administered. These drugs will provide the patient with the most efficient way to:
Since African Americans are an high at-risk group for developing high blood pressure as well as having more severe risks from it and being more likely to develop hypertension at an earlier age, specific care programs are laid out in the high blood pressure treatment guidelines.
Focusing on lifestyle changes due to the fact that sodium sensitive or the obese or smokers in the African American group are more likely to have organ damage such as kidney disease, heart attack, and enlargement of the heart, is tantamount.
Though rare, high blood pressure in children is a particular concern because of the propensity for hypertension to continually worsen into adulthood. Therefore, the high blood pressure treatment guidelines recommend routine checkups with evaluation for children.
This is extra important because secondary high blood pressure is often the diagnosis for children with hypertension. In fact, it is twice as more likely to happen in children than adults. This means that there is another disease, illness, medication or outside influence causing the child’s high blood pressure. By treating the underlying cause of the hypertension (such as kidney or hormonal diseases) blood pressure should return to normal levels.
By treating hypertension in children with lifestyle changes and/or medication, children can be afforded a chance at a healthier adulthood.
Because of the changes that occur in the body with age, older adults often have what is called ISH, or Isolated Systolic High blood pressure. ISH is diagnosed when the systolic number (top) is above 140 but the diastolic (bottom number) is lower than 90.
This means that the high blood pressure treatment guidelines for older adults must be followed because for people over 50 years of age, having a systolic number of over 140 is a better indicator for heart disease and stroke risks. ISH is more common in women than men and by 60, most adults who have hypertension have ISH.
Without proper treatment, ISH can cause damage to organs like the brain, kidneys, heart, and eyes. In combination with the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, blood pressure medication like a diuretic is normally administered.
But further complicating ISH is the fact that certain medicines used to treat high blood pressure actually cause the pressure to drop too low. This creates unwanted side effects like slower heart beats, lightheadedness, dizziness or even fainting spells. If a patient has ISH, their blood pressure should be monitored regularly by a doctor.
High Blood Pressure Causes 62% of all Strokes and 49% of all Heart Attacks... Check your BP on the blood pressure chart. If the chart shows you are in the prehypertension or hypertension ranges, do something about it, even if it is just having a chat with your doctor. The blood pressure chart is for all adults regardless of age, as whilst your age rises, the thresholds for prehypertension and hypertension don't! (there is no blood pressure chart by age!) No matter what your age - if your BP is above 140/90 you should set about lowering it. You can record and monitor your readings on our printable blood pressure log.