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Guidelines on the management of hypertension have been developed by various professional bodies and institutions to primarily address the issues of diagnosis, treatment, and control in order to rationalize and improve the management of hypertension. Hypertension guidelines across the world have recently been updated following the new and controversial lower blood pressure threshold of ≥130/80 mmHg for the diagnosis of hypertension adopted by the Americans. While there are differences between the major as well as between the Asian national guidelines, there were also many similarities. This paper discusses and highlights the differences and similarities between the major international guidelines of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association, of the European Society of Cardiology/European Society of Hypertension, and of the International Society of Hypertension and also compares them with the Asian guidelines.

Arterial hypertension (AH) is a very significant and most common risk factor for stroke, and lowering blood pressure (BP) is the most effective action to prevent stroke in patients with AH. This article provides an overview of existing randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and meta-analyzes to study the optimal target BP levels in patients with AH and cerebral events with a history of focusing on the geriatric population. As a result of the analysis of literature data, we obtained contradictory results: RCTs showed the benefits of lower target BP, in only two of them the target level of systolic BP (SBP) was less than 130 mm Hg, and the average age of patients included in the RCTs varied from 60 to 68 years, the number of patients older than 75 years was insignificant, and some studies excluded patients older than 85 years. Several subanalyses analyzed by RCTs found a J-shaped relationship between BP levels achieved and the risk of adverse cardiovascular events. One of them showed that with a decrease in BP below the SBP 120 mm Hg and DBP 65 mm Hg higher BP was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events. Another one showed that the risk of re-stroke and the risk of subsequent adverse events was statistically significantly higher in patients with an average level of SBP below 120 mm Hg than in patients with a level of SBP of 130139 mm Hg. The meta-analysis published in the Cochrane database did not show significant advantages of lowering BP130/85 mm Hg versus standard lowering BP140160/90100 mm Hg, while another meta-analysis revealed some advantages of a more intense decrease in BP for the prevention of re-stroke. Existing studies did not take into account the heterogeneity of the geriatric population and did not include patients with fraility and multimorbidity patients, and did not take into account the type of stroke to develop a differentiated approach to the tactics of lowering BP in patients of all age groups. Therefore, in relation to the recommended ESC/ESH experts in 2018, target BP levels of 120129/7079 mm Hg (aged 1865 years) and 130139/7079 mmHg (aged 65 years) for patients with AH and a history of cerebral events, there are still some doubts about the benefits of lower target BP values for the prevention of re-stroke and other cardiovascular events for the entire population of geriatric patients, especially patients older than 75, so specially designed randomized controlled trials are needed.

Background Hyperlactatemia is associated with a poor prognosis in cardiac surgery patients. This study explored the impact of target blood pressure management during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on blood lactate levels after cardiac surgery. Methods Adult patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery between 20/1/2020 and 30/6/2020 at Shanghai Chest Hospital were enrolled. The patients were randomized into a low mean arterial pressure (L-MAP) group (target MAP between 50 and 60 mmHg) or a high mean arterial pressure (H-MAP) group (target MAP between 70 and 80 mmHg), n = 20 for each. Norepinephrine was titrated only during CPB to maintain MAP at the target level. Blood lactate levels in the two groups were detected before the operation (T0), at the end of CPB (T1), at the end of the operation (T2), 1 h after the operation (T3), 6 h after the operation (T4) and 24 h after the operation (T5). The primary outcome was the blood lactate level at the end of the operation (T2). The secondary outcomes included the blood lactate level at T1, T3, T4, and T5 and the dose of epinephrine and dopamine within 24 h after the operation, time to extubation, length of stay in the ICU, incidence of readmission within 30 days, and mortality within 1 year. Results Forty patents were enrolled and analyzed in the study. The lactate level in the H-MAP group was significantly lower than that in the L-MAP group at the end of the operation (3.1 [IQR 2.1, 5.0] vs. 2.1 [IQR 1.7, 2.9], P = 0.008) and at the end of CPB and 1 hour after surgery. The dose of epinephrine within 24 h after the operation, time to extubation and length of stay in the ICU in the L-MAP group were significantly higher than those in the H-MAP group. Conclusions Maintaining a relatively higher MAP during CPB deceased the blood lactate level at the end of surgery, reduced epinephrine consumption, and shortened the time to extubation and length of stay in the ICU after surgery. Trial registration This single-center, prospective, RCT has completed the registration of the Chinese Clinical Trial Center at 8/1/2020 with the registration number ChiCTR2000028941. It was conducted from 20/1/2020 to 30/6/2020 as a single, blinded trial in Shanghai Chest Hospital.

Aim. To study the clinical outcomes (achievement of target blood pressure [BP]) and tolerability of antihypertensive and hypolipidemic therapy with fixed combinations of indapamide/perindopril, amlodipine/perindopril, amlodipine/indapamide/perindopril and rosuvastatin in patients with hypertension and high/very high cardiovascular risk in real clinical practice.Material and methods. The study included 16,788 patients from 104 cities of the Russian Federation. The duration of observation was 12 weeks. All patients had three monitoring visits. BP level was measured twice during the visits: the arithmetic mean of the obtained parameters was calculated. The results of the study were analyzed and presented by descriptive statistics.Results. The average age of the patients was 60.6±10.2 years; 42.2% of the patients were men and 57.8% women. Patients who demonstrated systolicdiastolic hypertension (BP>140/90 mm Hg) at the initial visit accounted for 73.9% (n=12,413) of the total number of participants. The average level of systolic BP at the inclusion into the study was 162.94±13.07 mm Hg, the level of diastolic BP was 93.43±8.61 mm Hg. As expected, the Russian population consists of over 90% of patients with very high (57%; n=9,586) and high (35.9%; n=6,022) additional cardiovascular risk. Despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of patients with hypertension had a high and very high additional risk, more than a third of patients received monotherapy to control their BP level (36.8%; n=6,182), while 13.8% of patients (n=2,321) had never received antihypertensive therapy before. According to the results of therapy with combination drugs based on perindopril, 92.7% of patients managed to reach the target BP levels of Conclusion. In the Russian population, 73.9% of patients with hypertension and high/very high risk do not achieve the target BP levels. Application of combined therapy based on fixed combinations with perindopril allows achieving effective BP control in 93% of patients with hypertension having high and very high risk during 12 weeks with good tolerability of treatment.

Arterial hypertension (AH) is an important public health problem worldwide. The high prevalence of hypertension can partially be explained by an increase in blood pressure (BP) with age and a rapid increase in the elderly population (over 65 years old). Despite the effect of age on BP, evidence of target blood pressure values for its control in patients of older age groups with AH is limited, especially if they have frailty. There are data from a number of studies that reveal a relationship between lower BP levels and all-cause mortality in patients with AH in older age groups. In clinical practice, decisions regarding BP targets are especially difficult in elderly people with frailty who often do not meet the criteria for inclusion in randomized controlled trials and for this group of elderly people the clinical recommendations of leading communities do not give a specific answer about the target BP level. The evidence base regarding the target BP values in the treatment of AH in patients of older age groups with frailty presented in this review is not numerous, but its analysis suggests the advantages of higher BP numbers, with maximum systolic BP values of 165 mm Hg and diastolic BP of 90 mm Hg, while lower BP levels may be unsafe in terms of increasing the risk of adverse cardiovascular events and mortality from both cardiovascular causes and all causes. Polymorbidity in combination with polypharmacy and an increased risk of adverse events require a patient-oriented individual approach to the appointment of antihypertensive therapy. For a final decision on the management tactics of patients with AH and frailty, large, specially designed randomized clinical trials are needed.

Aim. To study the pharmacoepidemiological features of the prescription of antihypertensive fixed dose combinations and their efficacy in hypertensive patients in the real outpatient practice in Vladivostok city. Material and methods . Hypertensive patients aged 1 8 years and older (n=268) observed in Vladivostok polyclinics from October to December 2017 were included into the study. All patients did not have target blood pressure (BP) levels. The analysis of the medical prescriptions of antihypertensive fixed dose combinations in Vladivostok polyclinics was performed. Two-component (perindopril + amlodipine) or three-component (perindopril + amlodipine + indapamide) fixed dose combinations were prescribed by physician in accordance with instructions for medical use and their pharmacological characteristics. The study was non-interventional and included 3 visits for the initial examination, prescription and correction of therapy, considering its efficacy. All patients were determined for glomerular filtration rate using CKD-EPI (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration Formula), changes in BP. Patients performed self-esteem on a 1 0-point visual analogue scale (VAS). Results. Only 23.4% of patients reached target BP levels in the first month of observation, and 84.5% of patients after 3 months of observation. 30 (1 1.2%) patients had replacement with double antihypertensive fixed dose to triple combination combinations during the study. 68.6% of patients did not have a replacement for the initial prescribed antihypertensive fixed dose combinations due to the achievement of target BP. The number of patients with moderately and markedly reduced glomerular filtration rate was reduced significantly. Initially, the patients included into the study assessed health (according to adapted VAS) for 5.6±1.4 points, and after 3 months of follow-up - for 7.9±1.7 points. Conclusion. The use of antihypertensive fixed dose combinations containing ACE inhibitor (perindopril), calcium channel blocker (amlodipine) and thiazide-like diuretic (indapamide) resulted in achievement of target BP levels in 84.5% of patients after 3 months of follow-up. Also, the use of double and triple fixed dose combinations had a nephroprotective effect, manifested in an increase in the number of patients ( + 19.3%) with a glomerular filtration rate more than 60 ml/min/1,73 м 2 and a positive effect on the patient's well-being.

Background Little is known about age-specific target blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of this study was to determine the BP level at the lowest cardiovascular risk of hypertensive patients with DM according to age. Methods Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, we analyzed patients without cardiovascular disease diagnosed with both hypertension and DM from January 2002 to December 2011. Primary end-point was composite cardiovascular events including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction and stroke. Results Of 241,148 study patients, 35,396 had cardiovascular events during a median follow-up period of 10 years. At the age of Conclusions In a cohort of hypertensive patients who had DM but no history of cardiovascular disease, lower BP was associated with lower risk of cardiovascular events especially at the age of

Background: Blood pressure (BP) control is the most-established method for the prevention of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. However, the ideal BP target for CKD patients is still under debate. Methods: We performed a survey of regular registered members of the Korean Society of Nephrology to determine physician perceptions of BP control in patients with CKD. In addition, we evaluated the target BP achievement rate using data from the APrODiTe-2 study. Results: Two-thirds of physicians considered the target BP for CKD to be < 130/85 mmHg. The systolic BP (SBP) thresholds for diabetic CKD, proteinuria ≥ 300 mg/day, 30 ≤ glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m², age < 60 years, and the presence of atherosclerotic (ASO) complications were significantly lower than the SBP thresholds of the opposite parameters. The three major hurdles to controlling BP were non-compliance with lifestyle modification and medications, and self-report of well-controlled home BP. Most physicians prescribed home and ambulatory BP monitoring to less than 50% of their patients. The target BP achievement rates using the SBP thresholds in this survey were as follows: non-diabetic (69.3%); diabetic (29.5%); proteinuria < 300 mg/day (72.3%); proteinuria > 300 mg/day (33.7%); GFR ≥ 60 (76.4%); GFR < 30 (47.8%); no evidence of ASO (67.8%); and the presence of ASO (42.9%). Conclusion: The target BP was lower in patients with higher cerebro-cardiovascular risks. These patient groups also showed lower target BP achievement rates. We also found a relatively lower application and clinical reflection rate of home or ambulatory BP monitoring.

Background and objectives: Previous meta-analyses of our group have investigated the cardiovascular effects of more vs. less intense blood pressure (BP) treatment and the BP levels to be achieved by treatment. A few additional trials have been completed recently, particularly the large SPRINT study. Updating of the previous meta-analyses has been done with the objective of further clarifying the practical question of BP targets of antihypertensive treatment. Methods: Among randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) of BP lowering treatment between 1966 and 2015, 16 (52235 patients) compared more vs. less intense treatment and fulfilled other preset criteria, and in 34 (138127 patients) SBP in the active (vs. placebo) or the more (vs. less) intense treatment was below (vs., respectively, above) three predetermined cutoffs. For their meta-analyses risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals, standardized to -10/-5mmHg SBP/DBP reduction, and absolute risk reductions of seven fatal and nonfatal outcomes were calculated. Results: More intense BP lowering significantly reduced risk of stroke [RR 0.71 (0.60-0.84)], coronary events [0.80 (0.68-0.95)], major cardiovascular events [0.75 (0.68-0.85)] and cardiovascular mortality [0.79 (0.63-0.97)], but not heart failure and all-cause death. When the 16 RCTs were stratified according to cardiovascular death risk, relative risk reduction did not differ between strata, but absolute risk reduction increased with cardiovascular risk, though the residual risk also increased. Stratification of the 34 RCTs according to the three different SBP cutoffs (150, 140 and 130mmHg) showed that a SBP/DBP difference of -10/-5mmHg across each cutoff significantly reduced risk of all outcomes to the same proportion (relative risk reduction), but absolute risk reduction of most outcomes had a significant trend to decrease at lower cutoffs. Conclusion: Updating of previous meta-analyses indicates that more vs. less intense BP lowering can reduce not only stroke and coronary events, but also cardiovascular mortality. Including data from recent RCTs also shows that all major outcomes can be reduced by lowering SBP a few mmHg below vs. above 130mmHg, but absolute risk reduction becomes smaller, suggesting patients at lower initial SBP were at a lower level of cardiovascular risk.

A bidirectional relationship between hypertension and kidney disease, with one exacerbating the effect of the other, is well established. Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a well‐recognized, modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease as well as for development and progression of chronic kidney disease and, therefore, the identification of optimal BP target is a key issue in the management of renal patients. Recent large trials and real life cohort studies have indicated that below a definite BP value renal protection seems to plateau and too low levels may even be associated with a paradoxical increase in renal morbidity, thus reviving the debate about the so called BP ‐renal function J‐curve relationship. Existing evidence supports a systolic target around 130 mm Hg to combine both renal and CV protection and possibly lower levels in the presence of overt proteinuria.

Objectives We retrospectively assessed both blood pressure response to management in a specialist Hypertension Clinic and the predictors of response. Design Retrospective data audit. Setting Hypertension Clinic at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals, London, UK. Participants One hundred and twenty-two sequential patients attending the clinic between January 2017 and October 2018. Patients were excluded if they had previously been seen in the clinic, failed to attend their initial appointment or did not return after their initial appointment. Outcome measure Change in blood pressure readings between first and last recorded appointments. Results Systolic blood pressure decreased from 149 ± 20 mmHg to 140 ± 17 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure from 92 ± 13 to 86 ± 1 mmHg, between the first and last recorded appointments (P

Purpose of Review: Detection of elevated blood pressure values in elderly patients represents a common clinical condition associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. This has been shown to be the case in both systodiastolic and isolated systolic hypertension as well. However, despite the evidence of the benefits of the blood pressure lowering intervention in terms of reduction of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, at least two issues related to antihypertensive drug treatment in aged individuals are still undefined: (1) the blood pressure threshold at which antihypertensive drug should be initiated and (2) the blood pressure goals of the therapeutic intervention. Recent Findings: The present paper will critically review the evidence available so far on these two issues as well as the position of current guidelines and consensus statements. Emphasis will be given to the analysis of the new data of the Systolic Blood Pressure Interventional Trial (SPRINT), which have recently demonstrated the benefits, even in individuals aged more than 75years, of a tight blood pressure reduction to systolic blood pressure to 120mmHg or less. The potential limitations of the trial will be also critically addressed and the expectations of ongoing clinical studies investigating the issue in elderly patients properly emphasized. Summary: Although of interest, the results of the SPRINT trial encompass a number of limitations which limit their applicability to the general elderly hypertensive population. A prudent approach will be to adopt in clinical practice the less intensive and more conservative targets recommended by current guidelines.

Aim. (1) To investigate clinical characteristics of primary care patients with arterial hypertension (AH), according to the achievement of target blood pressure (BP) levels; (2) to assess the effectiveness of therapeutic measures aimed at achieving target BP and maintaining its long-term control. Material and methods. This retrospective analysis included the data from ambulatory medical records of 5558 AH patients, who attended primary care centres in 2007. Clinical characteristics were compared in patients with achieved vs. non-achieved target BP levels. According to the national AH guidelines (2004), the completeness of examination, pharmaceutical therapy tactics, and frequency of the follow-up were assessed in both groups. Results. Based on the 2007 data, target BP levels were maintained in 28% of AH patients. Mean BP level was 144/87 mm Hg. Patients with optimal BP levels, compared to their peers with inadequate BP control, had significantly (pConclusion. Patients with optimal BP control were characterised by a more severe clinical course, as well as by a wider scope and higher frequency of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. At the primary care level, the quality of AH diagnostics and treatment did not comply with the recommended standards; therefore, mean BP levels in the AH Register sample were higher than the target ones.

Aim. To compare the dynamics of intrarenal vascular resistance (IRVR), circadian blood pressure (BP) profile and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in patients with arterial hypertension (HT) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) who achieved the target BP levels (

Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the severity of obesity and its impact on achieving target blood pressure and metabolic derangement in obese individuals. Methods: This cross-sectional and population-based study was conducted between January and December 2012. A total of 1837 consecutive obese patients admitted to our outpatient clinic were enrolled. The anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, bioelectrical impedance fat analysis, blood sample analysis, impaired glucose status, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance of 1265 obese patients were compared between groups of patients separated by severity of obesity. Results: Only approximately one-third of patients with previous hypertension achieved normal blood pressure. In addition, the majority of patients without previous hypertension had higher blood pressure at the end of the study compared with baseline. The percent of patients with an impaired fasting blood glucose ≥100 mg/dL was 38.5%. The frequency of impaired glucose tolerance was 39.1% in the patients who underwent OGTT Body mass index (BMI) was associated with impaired blood glucose, hypertension, insulin resistance, and the development of metabolic syndrome. The incidences of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, and uncontrolled blood pressure were significantly different between groups of differing obesity severity (ppp=0.041, and pConclusion: The severity of obesity was associated with the failure to achieve target blood pressure and metabolic syndrome. Based on our data, blood pressure and metabolic parameters in obese patients should be monitored frequently and treated with caution.

PubMed ID: 22318207, To evaluate the percentage of hypertensive patients who could achieve target blood pressure (TBP) according to the guidelines in the context of recommended measures and the factors responsible for failure. A total of 589 hypertensive patients (59.0% female; mean age: 57.7±10.4 years) were assessed twice for TBP achievement based on 2007 ESH/ESC guidelines and the investigators' view, in addition to the recommended measures and possible causes of failure in hypertension management in this national multi-center (n=99), non-interventional observational study. Only 29.5% of the patients at the first visit and 46.8% at the second visit achieved the TBP levels specified by the guidelines. However, the investigators' evaluation indicated a higher achievement rate at the first (43.5%) as well as the second (69.1%) visit when compared with the guideline-based assessments (P

Ijlal Uddin, Shakil AslamDivision of Nephrology and Hypertension, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USAAbstract: Hypertension is a major health problem worldwide and remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. Although public awareness and control of hypertension have improved over the last decade, only one-third of hypertensive patients achieve the rather conservative blood pressure (BP) goal of

Chronic kidney diseases – arising from inborn or acquired renal disorders – are one of the most common causes of secondary hypertension. Renal parenchymatous hypertension accompanying bilateral or unilateral kidney diseases is more prevalent than renovascular hypertension. The prevalence and severity of hypertension are influenced by age, weight, type of renal affliction, and depth of renal dysfunction. In multifactorial pathogenesis, sodium retention plays the crucial role together with dysbalance concerning effects of different vasoactive substances; however, unequivocal distinction between volume- and renin-type hypertension is difficult. The treatment of renal hypertension includes appropriate lifestyle changes, pharmacotherapy, hemoelimination methods and radiological or urological invasive procedures. In chronic kidney diseases with increased albuminuria or proteinuria, ACE inhibitors and AT1-blockers are preferred. Combination of several antihypertensives is often required to achieve the target blood pressure. Increased blood pressure represents not only the manifestation of chronic kidney diseases but also an important factor concerning the renal and cardiovascular risk.

Aim. To compare the effectiveness of three variants of long-term combination antihypertensive therapy (AHT), based on two methods of renin-angiotensinaldosterone system (RAAS) inhibition (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARAII)) or on calcium channel blockade with a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (CCB), all of which were administered in order to achieve target levels of blood pressure (BP). To develop an algorithm for differential administration of combination AHT in patients with arterial hypertension (AH) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-2). Material and methods. The study included 71 patients (mean age 56,8±6,5 years) with AH and DM-2, but without clinically manifested nephroangopathy. The therapy course (30–32 weeks) was completed by 69 patients. All participants were randomised into three groups. The ACEI+CCB group (n=22) received perindopril (5–10 mg/d), indapamide SR (1,5 mg/d), and amlodipine (5–10 mg). The ARAII+CCB group (n=25) was administered valsartan (80–160 mg/d), indapamide SR, and amlodipine. The CCB+BAB group (n=22) received amlodipine (5–10 mg/d), indapamide SR, and metoprolol succinate (50–100 mg/d). The doses of AHT were increased stepwise. At baseline and after 30–32 weeks of the treatment, 24-hour BP monitoring (BPM), renal artery ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism assessment, and 24-hour albumin excretion measurement were performed. Results. Target BP levels were achieved in the majority of patients from all three groups. For the two-component combination AHT, target BP levels were achieved more often with the combination of RAAS inhibitors and indapamide SR, compared to the combination of CCB and indapamide SR. Most patients receiving the latter combination required additional administration of a third medication, in order to achieve adequate BP control. The combination of CCB and BAB increased intrarenal vascular resistance and less effectively controlled night-time systolic AH, compared to the combination of RAAS inhibitors and CCB. The combination of ACEI and CCB, compared to the ARAII+CCB combination, was associated with improved glycemic control, effective reduction of the duration of night-time diastolic AH and night-time heart rate, and normalisation of initially elevated intrarenal vascular resistance at the level of segmental intrarenal arteries. These findings were used for the development of the algorithm for differential administration of combination AHT in patients with AH and DM-2. Conclusion. In DM-2 patients, long-term combination AHR with ACEI and CCB demonstrates more beneficial effects on the metabolic and neurohumoral regulation processes, compared to the combination of ARAII and CCB. These benefits are particularly pronounced in patients with inadequate glycemic control and increased intrarenal vascular resistance. The combination of CCB and BAB inadequately controls night-time systolic AH and does not improve renal hemodynamics.