Overview
Introduction
Hypertension (HTN) is defined as sustained systolic blood pressure of 130 mmHg or higher, or diastolic of 80 mmHg or higher, by the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline.
Hypertension (HTN) is defined as sustained systolic blood pressure of 130 mmHg or higher, or diastolic of 80 mmHg or higher, by the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline. It is the most prevalent chronic cardiovascular condition in the United States — affecting roughly one in three adults — and the single most important modifiable risk factor for stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and aortic dissection. Because it is usually asymptomatic, it is often called the "silent killer," and undiagnosed or undertreated hypertension drives an enormous share of preventable cardiovascular death. Classification (ACC/AHA): - Normal: systolic below 120 and diastolic below 80 - Elevated: systolic 120 to 129 and diastolic below 80 - Stage 1 HTN: systolic 130 to 139 or diastolic 80 to 89 - Stage 2 HTN: systolic 140 or higher or diastolic 90 or higher - Hypertensive urgency: systolic above 180 or diastolic above 120 with NO acute end-organ damage - Hypertensive emergency: systolic above 180 or diastolic above 120 WITH acute end-organ damage (encephalopathy, aortic dissection, acute MI, acute kidney injury, or pulmonary edema) About 90...