Hypertension Guidelines for 2022 Everything You Need to Know

Hypertension Guidelines for 2022: Everything You Need to Know

Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a chronic medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and kidney problems. The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) have released new hypertension guidelines for 2022, which provide updated recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of hypertension. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about the hypertension guidelines for 2022.

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension is a medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is consistently elevated. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is expressed as two numbers: systolic and diastolic. Systolic blood pressure is the top number and represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. Diastolic blood pressure is the bottom number and represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats.

The hypertension guidelines for 2022 define hypertension as a systolic blood pressure of 130 mmHg or higher, or a diastolic blood pressure of 80 mmHg or higher. This is a change from the previous guidelines, which defined hypertension as a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher, or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or higher.

Why are the Guidelines Changing?

The new hypertension guidelines for 2022 are based on the latest scientific evidence and research. The previous guidelines were published in 2017, and since then, new studies have emerged that provide more insight into the diagnosis, treatment, and management of hypertension. The updated guidelines are designed to provide healthcare professionals with the most up-to-date information and recommendations for managing hypertension in their patients.

What are the Recommendations for Diagnosis?

The hypertension guidelines for 2022 recommend that healthcare professionals use an automated office blood pressure (AOBP) device to measure blood pressure in their patients. AOBP devices measure blood pressure automatically, without the need for a healthcare professional to manually take the measurement. This can help reduce the white coat effect, which is when a patient's blood pressure is elevated in the doctor's office due to anxiety or stress.

The guidelines also recommend that healthcare professionals use out-of-office blood pressure monitoring (OBPM) to confirm a diagnosis of hypertension. OBPM involves measuring blood pressure outside of the doctor's office, such as at home or at work. This can provide a more accurate picture of a patient's blood pressure over time and can help healthcare professionals make more informed decisions about treatment.

What are the Recommendations for Treatment?

The hypertension guidelines for 2022 recommend that healthcare professionals treat hypertension with lifestyle modifications and medication, if necessary. Lifestyle modifications include:

- Following a healthy diet, such as the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet

- Engaging in regular physical activity, such as brisk walking or cycling

- Maintaining a healthy weight

- Limiting alcohol consumption

- Quitting smoking

If lifestyle modifications are not enough to lower a patient's blood pressure, medication may be necessary. The guidelines recommend that healthcare professionals use medication based on a patient's blood pressure level and other risk factors, such as age, race, and comorbidities. The guidelines also recommend that healthcare professionals consider using combination therapy, which involves using two or more medications to treat hypertension.

What are the Recommendations for Management?

The hypertension guidelines for 2022 recommend t