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Background: High-quality ambulatory care can reduce cardiovascular disease risk, but important gaps exist in the provision of cardiovascular preventive care. We sought to develop a set of key performance indicators that can be used to measure and improve cardiovascular care in the primary care setting. Methods: As part of the Cardiovascular Health in Ambulatory Care Research Team initiative, we established a 14-member multidisciplinary expert panel to develop a set of indicators for measuring primary prevention performance in ambulatory cardiovascular care. We used a 2-stage modified Delphi panel process to rate potential indicators, which were identified from the literature and national cardiovascular organizations. The top-rated indicators were pilot tested to determine their measurement feasibility with the use of data routinely collected in the Canadian health care system. Results: A set of 28 indicators of primary prevention performance were identified, which were grouped into 5 domains: risk factor prevalence, screening, management, intermediate outcomes and long-term outcomes. The indicators reflect the major cardiovascular risk factors including smoking, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and atrial fibrillation. All indicators were determined to be amenable to measurement with the use of population-based administrative (physician claims, hospital admission, laboratory, medication), survey or electronic medical record databases. Interpretation: The Cardiovascular Health in Ambulatory Care Research Team indicators of primary prevention performance provide a framework for the measurement of cardiovascular primary prevention efforts in Canada. The indicators may be used by clinicians, researchers and policy-makers interested in measuring and improving the prevention of cardiovascular disease in ambulatory care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the harmonization of the clinical practice guidelines that prevent and treat cardiovascular disease in Canada. It states that the Canadian Cardiovascular Harmonization of National Guidelines Endeavour (C-CHANGE) initiative was developed to harmonize the 400 recommendations into 89 key recommendations through using a consensus model. It mentions that the initiative proposes an outcome evaluation plan for tracking of clinical and health system outcomes.

Background: The rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes underlines the importance of secondary strategies for the prevention of target organ damage. While access to diabetes education centers and diabetes intensification management has been shown to improve blood glucose control, these services are not available to all that require them, particularly in rural and northern areas. The provision of these services through the Home Care team is an advance that can overcome these barriers. Transfer of blood glucose data electronically from the home to the health care provider may improve diabetes management. Methods and design: The study population will consist of patients with type 2 diabetes with uncontrolled A1c levels living on reserve in the Battlefords region of Saskatchewan, Canada. This pilot study will take place over three phases. In the first phase over three months the impact of the introduction of the Bluetooth enabled glucose monitor will be assessed. In the second phase over three months, the development of guidelines based treatment algorithms for diabetes intensification will be completed. In the third phase lasting 18 months, study subjects will have diabetes intensification according to the algorithms developed. Discussion: The first phase will determine if the use of the Bluetooth enabled blood glucose devices which can transmit results electronically will lead to changes in A1c levels. It will also determine the feasibility of recruiting subjects to use this technology. The rest of the Diabetes Risk Evaluation and Management Tele-monitoring (DreamTel) study will determine if the delivery of a diabetes intensification management program by the Home Care team supported by the Bluetooth enabled glucose meters leads to improvements in diabetes management. Trial Registration: Protocol NCT00325624 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses guidelines for chronic kidney disease management that were developed by the Canadian Society of Nephrology. The guidelines explains key aspects of the management of the disease to promote shared care for these patients by general practitioners and specialists. In particular, these guidelines are for the care of patients who are not undergoing dialysis. The authors offer recommendations from the guidelines on aspects of management of chronic kidney disease. These include strategies for treatment, targets for different abnormalities and frequency of follow-up based on the evidence available.

Background: There is a paucity of controlled clinical trial data based on research with Indigenous peoples. A lack of data specific to Indigenous peoples means that new therapeutic methods, such as those involving electronic health (eHealth), will be extrapolated to these groups based on research with other populations. Rigorous, ethical research can be undertaken in collaboration with Indigenous communities but requires careful attention to culturally safe research practices. Literature on how to involve Indigenous peoples in the development and evaluation of eHealth or mobile health apps that responds to the needs of Indigenous patients, providers, and communities is still scarce; however, the need for community-based participatory research to develop culturally safe technologies is emerging as an essential focus in Indigenous eHealth research. To be effective, researchers must first gain an in-depth understanding of Indigenous determinants of health, including the harmful consequences of colonialism. Second, researchers need to learn how colonialism affects the research process. The challenge then for eHealth researchers is to braid Indigenous ethical values with the requirements of good research methodologies into a culturally safe research protocol.Objective: A recent systematic review showed that Indigenous peoples are underrepresented in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), primarily due to a lack of attention to providing space for Indigenous perspectives within the study frameworks of RCTs. Given the lack of guidelines for conducting RCTs with Indigenous communities, we conducted an analysis of our large evaluation data set collected in the Diagnosing Hypertension-Engaging Action and Management in Getting Lower Blood Pressure in Indigenous Peoples and Low- and Middle- Income Countries (DREAM-GLOBAL) trial over a period of five years. Our goal is to identify wise practices for culturally safe, collaborative eHealth and RCT research with Indigenous communities.Methods: We thematically analyzed survey responses and qualitative interview/focus group data that we collected over five years in six culturally diverse Indigenous communities in Canada during the evaluation of the clinical trial DREAM-GLOBAL. We established themes that reflect culturally safe approaches to research and then developed wise practices for culturally safe research in pragmatic eHealth research.Results: Based on our analysis, successful eHealth research in collaboration with Indigenous communities requires a focus on cultural safety that includes: (1) building a respectful relationship; (2) maintaining a respectful relationship; (3) good communication and support for the local team during the RCT; (4) commitment to co-designing the innovation; (5) supporting task shifting with the local team; and (6) reflecting on our mistakes and lessons learned or areas for improvement that support learning and cultural safety.Conclusions: Based on evaluation data collected in the DREAM-GLOBAL RCT, we found that there are important cultural safety considerations in Indigenous eHealth research. Building on the perspectives of Indigenous staff and patients, we gleaned wise practices for RCTs in Indigenous communities.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02111226; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02111226. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors discuss their research on the effectiveness of automated measurement of blood pressure (BP) in primary care patients with systolic hypertension (SH) in eastern Canada. They measured the BP of 555 patients with SH using a manual office BP measuring device and a BpTRU automated BP monitor. They found that the white coat response seen using the manual BP monitor was eliminated with the use of the BpTRU. They also observed different systolic BP between awake ambulatory BP minus automated office BP and awake ambulatory BP minus manual office BP.

As the leading risk for death, population control of increased blood pressure represents a major challenge for all countries of the Americas. In the early 1990's, Canada had a hypertension control rate of 13%. The control rate increased to 68% in 2010, accompanied by a sharp decline in cardiovascular disease. The unprecedented improvement in hypertension control started around the year 2000 when a comprehensive program to implement annually updated hypertension treatment recommendations started. The program included a comprehensive monitoring system for hypertension control. After 2011, there was a marked decrease in emphasis on implementation and evaluation and the hypertension control rate declined, driven by a reduction in control in women from 69% to 49%. A coalition of health and scientific organizations formed in 2011 with a priority to develop advocacy positions for dietary policies to prevent and control hypertension. By 2015, the positions were adopted by most federal political parties, but implementation has been slow. This manuscript reviews key success factors and learnings. Some key success factors included having broad representation on the program steering committee, multidisciplinary engagement with substantive primary care involvement, unbiased up to date credible recommendations, development and active adaptation of education resources based on field experience, extensive implementation of primary care resources, annual review of the program and hypertension indicators and developing and emphasizing the few interventions important for hypertension control. Learnings included the need for having strong national and provincial government engagement and support, and retaining primary care organizations and clinicians in the implementation and evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competing Interests: Intérêts concurrents: James Stone déclare avoir reçu des honoraires et émoluments à titre de consultant pour Bayer Canada et Sanofi Canada. Le Dr Stone est directeur médical principal du Cardiovascular Health and Stroke Strategic Clinical Network des Services de santé de l’Alberta, et membre actif du conseil de gouvernance du Collège des médecins et chirurgiens de l’Alberta. Jason Andrade déclare avoir reçu une rémunération ou des honoraires de Medtronic, BiosenseWebster, Abbott, Biotronik, Bayer, Servier et BMS-Pfizer. Simon Bacon déclare avoir reçu des subventions de Moderna, versées à Respiplus pour la création de modules de formation sur la réticence aux vaccins et des honoraires de consultant et de conférencier de Respiplus. Il a fait partie de comités consultatifs pour Bayer, Sanofi, Respiplus et Lucilab, aucun n’étant en lien avec le présent article. Il est aussi titulaire d’une chaire en mentorat pour la Stratégie de recherche axée sur le patient des Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada (IRSC) (SMC-151518), et d’une chaire du Fonds de recherche du Québec (251618 et 309815). Harpreet Bajaj déclare avoir reçu des subventions de Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Kowa Pharmaceuticals, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Sanofi et Tricida, et des honoraires de conférencier de Eli Lilly et Novo Nordisk. Mark Gelfer déclare avoir reçu des honoraires de consultation de Cliniques Telus Santé et occupe un poste bénévole de président du conseil de GenXys Health Care Systems, dont il détient des actions. Jeffrey Habert déclare avoir reçu des honoraires de consultation de MDBriefcase, Liv, MedPlan, Master Clinician Alliance, Academy, Bridge, Seacourses, Thrombose Canada, Meducom, Antibody, Canadian Heart Research Centre, CTC Communications, STA Healthcare Communications, Canadian Collaborative Research Network, CPD Network, Telus Santé, EOCI Pharmacomm et Operatic. Le Dr Habert a aussi reçu des honoraires de Pfizer, Amgen, BMS, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, Purdue, Bausch, Allergan, AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Lundbeck, CHEP+, Novo Nordisk, Janssen, Eisai, HLS, Otsuka, Sunovion et Jazz. Le Dr Habert a été coresponsable des Guides cliniques de Thrombose Canada (2018–2021). Karim Keshavjee déclare avoir reçu des honoraires de consultation de l’Université McMaster, Demers Professional Corporation et Normative. Darlene Kitty déclare avoir reçu une rémunération d’enseignante des facultés de médecine de l’Université d’Ottawa et de l’Université McGill pour des conférences occasionnelles et des bourses de voyage à titre de directrice du Programme autochtone de la Faculté de médecine de l’Université d’Ottawa. La Dre Kitty est présidente du Comité sur la santé autochtone du Collège des médecins de famille du Canada. David Lau déclare avoir reçu des subventions de Novo Nordisk, des honoraires de consultation de Amgen, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, CME at Sea, HLS Therapeutics, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk et Viatris, des honoraires de Amgen, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, CME at Sea, HLS Therapeutics, Eli Lilly et Novo Nordisk, et une rémunération en tant que témoin expert de l’Association canadienne de protection médicale. Le Dr Lau a occupé des postes de direction chez Obésité Canada et à l’Association canadienne des médecins et chirurgiens bariatriques. Laurent Macle déclare avoir reçu des subventions et des honoraires de BMS-Pfizer, Servier et Bayer. Michael McDonald déclare avoir reçu des honoraires de consultation de Boehringer Ingelheim, et des honoraires de Novartis et Servier. Le Dr McDonald a aussi fait partie du comité de surveillance de la sécurité des données pour l’essai IVVE. Kara Nerenberg déclare avoir fait partie des comités pour les lignes directrices de pratique clinique de la Fondation canadienne des maladies du cœur et de l’AVC, Obésité Canada, Hypertension Canada, Diabète Canada et la Société des obstétriciens et gynécologues du Canada. Glen Pearson déclare avoir reçu des honoraires de consultation de Novartis Canada en tant que participant à des comités consultatifs. Alexandre Poppe déclare avoir reçu une subvention de recherche de Stryker et des honoraires de Pfizer-BMS. Le Dr Poppe a aussi fait partie du comité de surveillance de la sécurité des données pour l’essai FLOW sur la fluoxétine après l’AVC et du comité de surveillance de l’innocuité pour l’essai AcT (Alteplase Compared to Tenecteplase in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke) sur le ténectéplase dans l’AVC aigu. Le Dr Poppe a reçu le soutien d’une bourse du programme de recherche de Servier. Diana Sherifali déclare avoir reçu un financement personnel par l’entremise de la chaire de recherche médicale interprofessionnelle de l’Institut de santé publique Heather M. Arthur et Hamilton Health Sciences. Peter Selby déclare avoir reçu des subventions du ministère ontarien de la Santé et de Pfizer (Bourses de recherche mondiale sur la dépendance à la nicotine). Il fait aussi partie du comité de rédaction C-CHANGE depuis 2010. Eric Smith déclare avoir reçu des honoraires de consultation de Bayer, Biogen, Alnylam et Cyclerion. Sol Stern déclare avoir reçu des émoluments et des honoraires de consultation de MDBriefcase.com et Sea Courses inc. George Thanassoulis déclare avoir reçu des subventions, des émoluments et des honoraires de consultation de Amgen, Sanofi, Novartis et Silence. Le Dr Thanassoulis a aussi été membre du Comité de rédaction de la Ligne directrice sur la dyslipidémie de la SCC. Kristin Terenzi déclare avoir reçu des honoraires de consultation pour des comités consultatifs, des honoraires de conférencière et un soutien pour sa participation à des réunions de AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Astellas, Allergan, Amgen, Aspen, Bayer, Lilly, Lundbeck, AbbVie, Aralez, GSK, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer et Novartis. Karen Tu déclare avoir reçu des subventions (versées à son établissement) des institutions suivantes: IRSC, Fondation de l’Hôpital St. Michael, Collège des médecins de famille du Canada, Fondation pour l’avancement de la médecine familiale, Fondation AMC, Fonds d’exploration de l’Hôpital général de North York, Fondations canadienne et ontarienne des maladies du cœur et de l’AVC, ministère de la Défense des États-Unis, Université de Toronto — Département de médecine familiale et communautaire, MaRS Innovation Fund, Fondation canadienne de dermatologie, Société canadienne de rhumatologie (Canadian Initiative for Outcomes in Rheumatology Care), PSI Foundation, Action Cancer Ontario, Toronto Rehab Institute Chair Fund, UTOPIAN, Société d’arthrite, Société canadienne de la SP, Réseau canadien vasculaire, Prix IMPACT ciblé de l’unité de soutien SPOR de l’Ontario et Fondation Rathlyn. La Dre Tu détient une bourse en tant que chercheuse au Département de médecine familiale et communautaire de l’Université de Toronto. Jacob Udell déclare avoir reçu des subventions de Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen, Sanofi et Novartis, et des honoraires de AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline et Sanofi. Le Dr Udell a aussi fait partie de comités consultatifs pour Boehringer Ingelheim, Sanofi et Novartis. Sean Virani déclare avoir reçu des subventions de Abbott, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer, Novartis, Servier, Otsuka et Medtronic, des honoraires de consultation de Abbott, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer, Novartis, Seriver et Otsuka, et des honoraires de Abbott, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer, Novartis, Servier, Otsuka et Medtronic. Le Dr Virani a aussi fait partie de comités de surveillance de la sécurité des données ou de comités consultatifs pour Abbott et Medtronic. Richard Ward déclare avoir reçu des honoraires de consultation de Eisai et Lilly-Boehringer Ingelheim, et une rémunération ou des honoraires de Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Amgen, Lilly, Pfizer et Takeda. Le Dr Ward agit aussi à titre de directeur de l’Association médicale albertaine. Sean Wharton déclare avoir reçu des subventions et des honoraires de Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Bausch Health Canada et Boehringer Ingelheim; il a fait partie comités de surveillance de la sécurité des données pour Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Bausch Health Canada et Boehringer Ingelheim; et il a bénéficié de matériel et de services, de rédaction ou autres, de Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly et Bausch Health Canada. Le Dr Wharton a aussi occupé un poste de responsabilité auprès de l’Obesity Society et d’Obésité Canada. Jennifer Zymantas déclare avoir reçu des honoraires de Pfizer comme modératrice lors de conférences portant sur l’anticoagulation. Diane Hua-Stewart occupe le poste de directrice du programme CHEP+. Peter Liu déclare avoir reçu des subventions de Génome Canada, de la Fondation des maladies du cœur et de l’AVC et des IRSC. Le Dr Liu détient un brevet pour l’IGFBP7, un biomarqueur de l’insuffisance cardiaque et il est directeur scientifique de l’Institut de cardiologie de l’Université d’Ottawa. Sheldon Tobe déclare avoir reçu une subvention et un soutien non matériel pour l’étude Zero to Five, remis à l’Institut de recherche Sunnybrook, des honoraires de consultation de AstraZeneca, et une rémunération pour le programme éducatif CHEP+ de Amgen, AstraZeneca, BMS, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer et Sanofi Genzyme. Le Dr Tobe agit aussi bénévolement auprès de l’American Hypertension Specialists Certification Program. Aucun autre intérêt n’a été déclaré.

Competing Interests: Competing interests: James Stone reports receiving consulting fees and honoraria from Bayer Canada and Sanofi Canada. Dr. Stone is senior medical director, Cardiovascular Health and Stroke Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services; and member at large, Governing Council, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta. Jason Andrade reports receiving payment or honoraria from Medtronic, Biosense-Webster, Abbott, Bio-tronik, Bayer, Servier and BMS-Pfizer. Simon Bacon reports receiving grants from Moderna, paid through Respiplus for the development of vaccine hesitancy education modules, and consultancy and speaker fees from Respiplus. Dr. Bacon has served on advisory boards for Bayer, Sanofi, Respiplus and Lucilab, none of which are related to the current article. Dr. Bacon also holds a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research Mentoring Chair (SMC-151518) and Fonds de recherche du Québec Chair (251618 and 309815). Harpreet Bajaj reports receiving grants from Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Kowa Pharmaceuticals, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Sanofi and Tricida; and honoraria for lectures from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. Mark Gelfer reports receiving consulting fees from Telus Health Care Centres and holding an unpaid role as board chair of GenXys Health Care Systems, in which Dr. Gelfer also holds stock options. Jeffrey Habert reports receiving consulting fees from MDBriefcase, Liv, MedPlan, Master Clinician Alliance, Academy, Bridge, Seacourses, Thrombosis Canada, Meducom, Antibody, the Canadian Heart Research Centre, CTC Communications, STA Healthcare Communications, Canadian Collaborative Research Network, CPD Network, Telus Health, EOCI Pharmacomm and Operatic. Dr. Habert has also received honoraria from Pfizer, Amgen, BMS, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, Purdue, Bausch, Allergan, AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Lundbeck, Canadian Cardiovascular Health Education Program (CHEP+), Novo Nordisk, Janssen, Eisai, HLS, Otsuka, Sunovion and Jazz. Dr. Habert was the previous co-chair of the Thrombosis Canada Clinical Guides (2018–2021). Karim Keshavjee reports receiving consulting fees from McMaster University, Demers Professional Corporation and Normative. Darlene Kitty reports receiving teaching stipends from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine and the McGill University Faculty of Medicine for occasional lectures, and travel support as director for the Indigenous Program of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Kitty is the chair of the Indigenous Health Committee, College of Family Physicians of Canada. David Lau reports receiving grants from Novo Nordisk; consulting fees from Amgen, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, CME at Sea, HLS Therapeutics, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Viatris; honoraria from Amgen, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, CME at Sea, HLS Therapeutics, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk; and payment for expert testimony from the Canadian Medical Protective Association. Dr. Lau has served in leadership roles with Obesity Canada and the Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons. Laurent Macle reports receiving grants and honoraria from BMS-Pfizer, Servier and Bayer. Michael McDonald reports receiving consulting fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, and honoraria from Novartis and Servier. Dr. McDonald also participated in the data safety monitoring board for the IVVE Trial. Kara Nerenberg reports membership with the clinical practice guideline committees for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Obesity Canada, Hypertension Canada, Diabetes Canada and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. Glen Pearson reports receiving consulting fees from Novartis Canada as an advisory board participant. Alexandre Poppe reports receiving a research grant from Stryker and an honorarium from Pfizer-BMS. Dr. Poppe has also participated on a data safety monitoring board for the FLOW trial of fluoxetine after stroke and the safety committee for the Alteplase Compared to Tenecteplase in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke (AcT trial) of tenecteplase for acute stroke. Dr. Poppe has received fellowship program support from Servier. Diana Sherifali reports receiving personal funding through her Heather M. Arthur Population Health Institute/Hamilton Health Sciences Chair in Interprofessional Health Research. Peter Selby reports receiving grants from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Pfizer (Global Research Awards for Nicotine Dependence). Dr. Selby has also participated on the C-CHANGE guideline panel since 2010. Eric Smith reports receiving consulting fees from Bayer, Biogen, Alnylam and Cyclerion. Sol Stern reports receiving consulting fees and honoraria from MDBriefcase.com and Sea Courses Inc. George Thanassoulis reports receiving grants, consulting fees and honoraria from Amgen, Sanofi, Novartis and Silence. Dr. Thanassoulis has also been a member of the CCS Dyslipidemia Guideline committee. Kristin Terenzi reports receiving consulting fees for advisory boards of, honoraria for speaking events for, and support for attending meetings from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Astellas, Allergan, Amgen, Aspen, Bayer, Lilly, Lundbeck, AbbVie, Aralez, GSK, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer and Novartis. Karen Tu reports receiving grants (payments to institution) from CIHR, St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation, The College of Family Physicians of Canada, Foundation for Advancing Family Medicine, Canadian Medical Association Foundation, North York General Hospital Exploration Fund, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, United States Department of Defense, University of Toronto — Department of Family and Community Medicine, MaRS Innovation Fund, Canadian Dermatology Foundation, Canadian Rheumatology Association (Canadian Initiative for Outcomes in Rheumatology Care), PSI Foundation, Cancer Care Ontario, Toronto Rehab Institute Chair Fund, UTOPIAN, Arthritis Society, MS Society of Canada, The Canadian Vascular Network, Ontario SPOR Support Unit Targeted IMPACT Award and Rathlyn Foundation. Dr. Tu holds a Research Scholar Award from the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. Jacob Udell reports receiving grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen, Sanofi and Novartis; and honoraria from AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi. Dr. Udell has also participated on advisory boards for Boehringer Ingelheim, Sanofi and Novartis. Sean Virani reports receiving grants from Abbott, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer, Novartis, Servier, Otsuka and Medtronic; consulting fees from Abbott, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer, Novartis, Seriver and Otsuka; and honoraria from Abbott, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer, Novartis, Servier, Otsuka and Medtronic. Dr. Virani has also participated in data safety monitoring boards or advisory boards for Abott and Medtronic. Richard Ward reports receiving consulting fees from Eisai and Lilly-Boehringer Ingelheim, and payment or honoraria from Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Amgen, Lilly, Pfizer and Takeda. Dr. Ward also serves as director of the Alberta Medical Association. Sean Wharton reports receiving grants and honoraria from Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Bausch Health Canada and Boehringer Ingelheim; has participated in data safety monitoring boards for Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Bausch Health Canada and Boehringer Ingelheim; and has received equipment, medical writing or other services from Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Bausch Health Canada. Dr. Wharton has also played a leadership role in The Obesity Society and Obesity Canada. Jennifer Zymantas reports receiving an honorarium from Pfizer for a moderator role during speaking engagements related to anticoagulation. Diane Hua-Stewart holds the role of director of CHEP+. Peter Liu reports receiving grants from Genome Canada, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and CIHR. Dr. Liu holds a patent for IGFBP7 as a biomarker for heart failure and is chief scientific officer with the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. Sheldon Tobe reports receiving a KMH clinic unrestricted grant and in-kind support for the Zero to Five study, paid to Sunnybrook Research Institute; consulting fees from AstraZeneca; and payment for the CHEP+ education program from Amgen, Astra-Zeneca, BMS, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer and Sanofi Genzyme. Dr. Tobe also holds a volunteer role with the American Hypertension Specialists Certification Program. No other competing interests were declared.

We present Hypertension Canada's inaugural evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of resistant hypertension. Hypertension is present in 21% of the Canadian population, and among those with hypertension, resistant hypertension has an estimated prevalence from 10% to 30%. This subgroup of hypertensive individuals is important, because resistant hypertension portends a high cardiovascular risk. Because of its importance, Hypertension Canada formed a Guidelines Committee to conduct a review of the evidence and develop recommendations for the diagnosis and management of resistant hypertension. The Hypertension Canada Guidelines Committee recommends that patients with blood pressure above target, despite use of 3 or more blood pressure-lowering drugs at optimal doses, preferably including a diuretic, be identified as those with apparent resistant hypertension. Patients identified with apparent resistant hypertension should be assessed for white coat effect, nonadherence, and therapeutic inertia, investigated for secondary hypertension, and referred to a provider with expertise in hypertension. There is no randomized controlled trial evidence for better cardiovascular outcomes with any class of antihypertensive agent at this time, so recommendations for a preferred drug class cannot be made. Furthermore, we provide a summary of the current evidence concerning the role of device therapy in the management of resistant hypertension. We will continue updating the guidelines as additional high-quality evidence with relevance to daily practice becomes available., (Copyright © 2020 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Hypertension Canada's 2020 guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment of hypertension in adults and children provide comprehensive, evidence-based guidance for health care professionals and patients. Hypertension Canada develops the guidelines using rigourous methodology, carefully mitigating the risk of bias in our process. All draft recommendations undergo critical review by expert methodologists without conflict to ensure quality. Our guideline panel is diverse, including multiple health professional groups (nurses, pharmacy, academics, and physicians), and worked in concert with experts in primary care and implementation to ensure optimal usability. The 2020 guidelines include new guidance on the management of resistant hypertension and the management of hypertension in women planning pregnancy., (Copyright © 2020 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: DREAM-GLOBAL (Diagnosing hypertension-Engaging Action and Management in Getting Lower Blood Pressure in Indigenous and low- and middle-income countries) studied a SMS text messaging-based system for blood pressure measurement and hypertension management in Canadian Aboriginal and Tanzanian communities. The use of SMS text messages is an emerging point of interest in global health care initiatives because of their scalability, customizability, transferability, and cost-effectiveness., Objective: The study aim was to assess the effect on the difference in blood pressure reduction of active hypertension management messages or passive health behavior messages. The system was designed to be implemented in remote areas with wireless availability. This study described the implementation and evaluation of technical components, including quantitative data from the transmission of blood pressure measurements and qualitative data collected on the operational aspects of the system from participants, health care providers, and community leadership., Methods: The study was implemented in six remote Indigenous Canadian and two rural Tanzanian communities. Blood pressure readings were taken by a community health worker and transmitted to a mobile phone via Bluetooth, then by wireless to a programmed central server. From the server, the readings were sent to the participant's own phone as well. Participants also received biweekly tailored SMS text messages on their phones. Quantitative data on blood pressure reading transmissions were collected from the study central server. Qualitative data were collected by surveys, focus groups, and key informant interviews of participants, health care providers, and health leadership., Results: In Canada, between February 2014 and February 2017, 2818 blood pressure readings from 243 patients were transmitted to the central server. In Tanzania, between October 2014 and August 2015, 1165 readings from 130 patients were transmitted to the central server. The use of Bluetooth technology enabled the secure, reliable transmission of information from participants to their health care provider. The timing and frequency were satisfactory to 137 of 187 (73.2%) of participants, supporting the process of sending weekly messages twice on Mondays and Thursdays at 11 am. A total of 97.0% (164/169) of the participants surveyed said they would recommend participation in the DREAM-GLOBAL program to a friend or relative with hypertension., Conclusions: In remote communities, the DREAM-GLOBAL study helped local health care providers deliver a blood pressure management program that enabled patients and community workers to feel connected. The technical components of the study were implemented as planned, and patients felt supported in their management through the SMS text messaging and mobile health program. Technological issues were solved with troubleshooting. Overall, the technical aspects of this research program enhanced clinical care and study evaluation and were well received by participants, health care workers, and community leadership., Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02111226; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02111226., (©Jordan Andrea Barsky, Rebekah Hunter, Colin McAllister, Karen Yeates, Norm Campbell, Peter Liu, Nancy Perkins, Diane Hua-Stewart, Marion A Maar, Sheldon W Tobe. Originally published in JMIR mHealth and uHealth (http://mhealth.jmir.org), 09.12.2019.)

Clinical practice guidelines serve an important role in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. There is variability among guideline groups in the methods used to assess and grade clinical evidence, resulting in discrepancies in various guidelines. Multiple guidelines focused on different aspects of cardiovascular care can lead to recommendations that are out of sync. Discrepancies between a practice recommendation from 2 different Canadian guideline groups can lead to confusion among clinicians and patients, reducing the likelihood that the practice recommendation will be carried out. Assisting cardiovascular-focused guideline groups to align, to harmonize, and to score highly on appraisal has been a main function of the Canadian Cardiovascular Harmonized National Guidelines Endeavour (C-CHANGE). Validated appraisal tools, harmonized guideline initiatives, and continuous evaluation of the impact of guidelines on quality indicators and practice outcomes are crucial for improving cardiovascular care for all Canadians., (Copyright © 2019 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Hypertension, the leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, affects more than 1 billion people globally. The rise in mobile health in particular the use of mobile phones and short message service (SMS) to support disease management provides an opportunity to improve hypertension awareness, treatment, and control, in remote and vulnerable patient populations. The primary objective of this randomized controlled study was to assess the effect of active (with hypertension specific management SMS) or passive (health behaviors SMS alone) on the difference in blood pressure (BP) reduction between the active and passive SMS groups in hypertensive Canadian First Nations people from six rural and remote communities. Pragmatic features of the study included shifting of BP measures to non-medical health workers. Despite an overall reduction in BP over the study, there was no difference in the BP change between groups from baseline to final for systolic 0.8 (95% CI -4.2 to 5.8 mm Hg) or diastolic -1.0 (95% CI -3.7 to 1.8 mm Hg, P = 0.5) BP. Achieved BP control was 37.5% (25.6%-49.4%, 95% CI) in the active group and 32.8% (20.6%-44.8%, 95% CI) in the passive group (difference in proportions -4.74% (-21.7% to 12.2%, 95% CI, P = 0.6). The study looked at changes in health services delivery, mobile health technologies, and patient engagement to support better management of hypertension in Canadian First Nations communities. The active hypertension specific SMS did not lead to improvements in BP control., (©2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Hypertension Canada provides annually updated, evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis, assessment, prevention, and treatment of hypertension in adults and children. This year, the adult and pediatric guidelines are combined in one document. The new 2018 pregnancy-specific hypertension guidelines are published separately. For 2018, 5 new guidelines are introduced, and 1 existing guideline on the blood pressure thresholds and targets in the setting of thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke is revised. The use of validated wrist devices for the estimation of blood pressure in individuals with large arm circumference is now included. Guidance is provided for the follow-up measurements of blood pressure, with the use of standardized methods and electronic (oscillometric) upper arm devices in individuals with hypertension, and either ambulatory blood pressure monitoring or home blood pressure monitoring in individuals with white coat effect. We specify that all individuals with hypertension should have an assessment of global cardiovascular risk to promote health behaviours that lower blood pressure. Finally, an angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor combination should be used in place of either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker in individuals with heart failure (with ejection fraction < 40%) who are symptomatic despite appropriate doses of guideline-directed heart failure therapies. The specific evidence and rationale underlying each of these guidelines are discussed., (Copyright © 2018 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

For people enrolled in Cardiovascular Outcomes in Renal Atherosclerotic Lesions (CORAL), we sought to examine whether variation exists in the baseline medical therapy of different geographic regions and if any variations in prescribing patterns were associated with physician specialty. Patients were grouped by location within the United States (US) and outside the US (OUS), which includes Canada, South America, Europe, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. When comparing US to OUS, participants in the US took fewer anti-hypertensive medications (1.9 ± 1.5 vs. 2.4 ± 1.4; P < .001) and were less likely to be treated with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker (46% vs. 62%; P < .001), calcium channel antagonist (37% vs. 58%; P < .001), and statin (64% vs. 75%; P < .05). In CORAL, the identification of variations in baseline medical therapy suggests that substantial opportunities exist to improve the medical management of patients with atherosclerotic renal-artery stenosis., (Copyright © 2015 American Society of Hypertension. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Non-communicable chronic diseases are the leading causes of mortality globally, and nearly 80% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In high-income countries (HICs), inequitable distribution of resources affects poorer and otherwise disadvantaged groups including Aboriginal peoples. Cardiovascular mortality in high-income countries has recently begun to fall; however, these improvements are not realized among citizens in LMICs or those subgroups in high-income countries who are disadvantaged in the social determinants of health including Aboriginal people. It is critical to develop multi-faceted, affordable and realistic health interventions in collaboration with groups who experience health inequalities. Based on community-based participatory research (CBPR), we aimed to develop implementation tools to guide complex interventions to ensure that health gains can be realized in low-resource environments., Methods: We developed the I-RREACH (Intervention and Research Readiness Engagement and Assessment of Community Health Care) tool to guide implementation of interventions in low-resource environments. We employed CBPR and a consensus methodology to (1) develop the theoretical basis of the tool and (2) to identify key implementation factor domains; then, we (3) collected participant evaluation data to validate the tool during implementation., Results: The I-RREACH tool was successfully developed using a community-based consensus method and is rooted in participatory principles, equalizing the importance of the knowledge and perspectives of researchers and community stakeholders while encouraging respectful dialogue. The I-RREACH tool consists of three phases: fact finding, stakeholder dialogue and community member/patient dialogue. The evaluation for our first implementation of I-RREACH by participants was overwhelmingly positive, with 95% or more of participants indicating comfort with and support for the process and the dialogue it creates., Conclusions: The I-RREACH tool was designed to (1) pinpoint key domains required for dialogue between the community and the research team to facilitate implementation of complex health interventions and research projects and (2) to identify existing strengths and areas requiring further development for effective implementation. I-RREACH has been found to be easily adaptable to diverse geographical and cultural settings and can be further adapted to other complex interventions. Further research should include the potential use of the I-RREACH tool in the development of blue prints for scale-up of successful interventions, particularly in low-resource environments.

The Canadian Hypertension Education Program reviews the hypertension literature annually and provides detailed recommendations regarding hypertension diagnosis, assessment, prevention, and treatment. This report provides the updated evidence-based recommendations for 2015. This year, 4 new recommendations were added and 2 existing recommendations were modified. A revised algorithm for the diagnosis of hypertension is presented. Two major changes are proposed: (1) measurement using validated electronic (oscillometric) upper arm devices is preferred over auscultation for accurate office blood pressure measurement; (2) if the visit 1 mean blood pressure is increased but < 180/110 mm Hg, out-of-office blood pressure measurements using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (preferably) or home blood pressure monitoring should be performed before visit 2 to rule out white coat hypertension, for which pharmacologic treatment is not recommended. A standardized ambulatory blood pressure monitoring protocol and an update on automated office blood pressure are also presented. Several other recommendations on accurate measurement of blood pressure and criteria for diagnosis of hypertension have been reorganized. Two other new recommendations refer to smoking cessation: (1) tobacco use status should be updated regularly and advice to quit smoking should be provided; and (2) advice in combination with pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation should be offered to all smokers. The following recommendations were modified: (1) renal artery stenosis should be primarily managed medically; and (2) renal artery angioplasty and stenting could be considered for patients with renal artery stenosis and complicated, uncontrolled hypertension. The rationale for these recommendation changes is discussed., (Copyright © 2015 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Accurate blood pressure measurement is critical to properly identify and treat individuals with hypertension. In 2005, the Canadian Hypertension Education Program produced a revised algorithm to be used for the diagnosis of hypertension. Subsequent annual reviews of the literature have identified 2 major deficiencies in the current diagnostic process. First, auscultatory measurements performed in routine clinical settings have serious accuracy limitations that have not been overcome despite great efforts to educate health care professionals over several years. Thus, alternatives to auscultatory measurements should be used. Second, recent data indicate that patients with white coat hypertension must be identified earlier in the process and in a systematic manner rather than on an ad hoc or voluntary basis so they are not unnecessarily treated with antihypertensive medications. The economic and health consequences of white coat hypertension are reviewed. In this article evidence for a revised algorithm to diagnose hypertension is presented. Protocols for home blood pressure measurement and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring are reviewed. The role of automated office blood pressure measurement is updated. The revised algorithm strongly encourages the use of validated electronic digital oscillometric devices and recommends that out-of-office blood pressure measurements, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (preferred), or home blood pressure measurement, should be performed to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension., (Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) 2012 clinical practice guideline for the management of blood pressure (BP) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) provides the structural and evidence base for the Canadian Society of Nephrology (CSN) commentary on this guideline's relevancy and application to the Canadian health care system. While in general agreement, we provide commentary on 13 of the 21 KDIGO guideline statements. Specifically, we agreed that nonpharmacological interventions should play a significant role in the management of hypertension in patients with CKD. We also agreed that the approach to the management of hypertension in elderly patients with CKD should be individualized and take into account comorbid conditions to avoid adverse outcomes from excessive BP lowering. In contrast to KDIGO, the CSN Work Group believes there is insufficient evidence to target a lower BP for nondiabetic CKD patients based on the presence and severity of albuminuria. The CSN Work Group concurs with the Canadian Hypertension Education Program (CHEP) recommendation of a target BP for all non-dialysis-dependent CKD patients without diabetes of ≤140 mm Hg systolic and ≤90 mm Hg diastolic. Similarly, it is our position that in diabetic patients with CKD and normal urinary albumin excretion, raising the threshold for treatment from <130 mm Hg systolic BP to <140 mm Hg systolic BP could increase stroke risk and the risk of worsening kidney disease. The CSN Work Group concurs with the CHEP and the Canadian Diabetic Association recommendation for diabetic patients with CKD with or without albuminuria to continue to be treated to a BP target similar to that of the overall diabetes population, aiming for BP levels < 130/80 mm Hg. Consistent with this, the CSN Work Group endorses a BP target of <130/80 mm Hg for diabetic patients with a kidney transplant. Finally, in the absence of evidence for a lower BP target, the CSN Work Group concurs with the CHEP recommendation to target BP<140/90 mm Hg for nondiabetic patients with a kidney transplant., (Copyright © 2014 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Herein, updated evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis, assessment, prevention, and treatment of hypertension in Canadian adults are detailed. For 2014, 3 existing recommendations were modified and 2 new recommendations were added. The following recommendations were modified: (1) the recommended sodium intake threshold was changed from ≤ 1500 mg (3.75 g of salt) to approximately 2000 mg (5 g of salt) per day; (2) a pharmacotherapy treatment initiation systolic blood pressure threshold of ≥ 160 mm Hg was added in very elderly (age ≥ 80 years) patients who do not have diabetes or target organ damage (systolic blood pressure target in this population remains at < 150 mm Hg); and (3) the target population recommended to receive low-dose acetylsalicylic acid therapy for primary prevention was narrowed from all patients with controlled hypertension to only those ≥ 50 years of age. The 2 new recommendations are: (1) advice to be cautious when lowering systolic blood pressure to target levels in patients with established coronary artery disease if diastolic blood pressure is ≤ 60 mm Hg because of concerns that myocardial ischemia might be exacerbated; and (2) the addition of glycated hemoglobin (A1c) in the diagnostic work-up of patients with newly diagnosed hypertension. The rationale for these recommendation changes is discussed. In addition, emerging data on blood pressure targets in stroke patients are discussed; these data did not lead to recommendation changes at this time. The Canadian Hypertension Education Program recommendations will continue to be updated annually., (Copyright © 2014 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

β-Blockers are among the most commonly used medications in the treatment of hypertension. However, 45 years after their initial indication for that treatment, their place in the treatment of hypertensive patients is under evaluation and their usefulness has been questioned based on evidence from meta-analyses of clinical trials. The β-blocker class consists of various agents with diverse pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties including lipo- and hydrophilicity, duration of action, intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, vasodilation, and metabolism linked to genetic polymorphisms. Because of their various properties, some β-blockers are indicated for cardiovascular conditions such as angina, rate control of atrial fibrillation, chronic heart failure, and after myocardial infarction, and other indications such as migraine and essential tremor. There have been more than 17 large trials influencing the recommendations on the use of these agents in the treatment of hypertension. The results of these trials initially led to the widespread recommendation for the use of β-blockers in the management of hypertension. However, the recent multiple meta-analyses using these trials have raised a controversy on their place in that treatment. The Canadian Hypertension Education Program recommendations have included β-blockers as a first-line treatment option for patients younger than 60 years of age based on the evidence from these large trials, and this has been supported by 2 of the meta-analyses. This article reviews these studies to help clinicians better understand the role of β-blockers in managing hypertension., (Copyright © 2014 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

β-Adrenergic receptor blockers or β-blockers represent one of the oldest classes of cardiovascular agents and have been considered a cornerstone therapy for hypertension and heart disease for the past 5 decades. They are advocated as a first-line treatment for uncomplicated essential hypertension in patients younger than 60 years of age as recommended by the Canadian Hypertension Education Program. However, despite the well-established antihypertensive and cardiovascular benefits of β-blockers, a number of studies argue that they might not have the same clinical advantages of other classes of agents in terms of morbidity/mortality outcomes. This review will focus on the heterogeneity of the pharmacologic characteristics of β-blockers, and we will discuss the metabolic and hemodynamic differences within the β-blocker class and try to assess the potential implications of these differences for optimal selection in hypertension., (Copyright © 2014 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Renal denervation is a novel catheter-based, percutaneous procedure using radiofrequency energy to ablate nerves within the renal arteries. This procedure might help to significantly lower blood pressure (BP) in patients with resistant hypertension, defined as BP > 140/90 mm Hg (> 130/80 mm Hg for those with diabetes) despite use of ≥ 3 optimally dosed antihypertensive agents, ideally including 1 diuretic agent. The Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations Task Force reviewed the current evidence on safety and efficacy of this procedure. Eleven studies on renal denervation were examined and most of the evidence evaluating renal denervation was derived from the Symplicity studies. In patients with systolic BP ≥ 160 mm Hg (≥ 150 mm Hg for patients with type 2 diabetes) despite use of ≥ 3 antihypertensive agents, bilateral renal denervation was associated with significantly lower BP (-22/11 to -34/13 mm Hg) at 6 months with a low periprocedural complication rate. Few patients underwent 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring and ambulatory BP monitoring showed more modest BP lowering (0 to -11/7 mm Hg). Although early results on short-term safety and blood pressure-lowering are encouraging, there are no long-term efficacy and safety data, or hard cardiovascular end point data. The discrepancy between office BP reductions and 24-hour ambulatory BP monitor reductions needs to be further investigated. Until more data are available, renal sympathetic denervation should be considered as a treatment option of last resort for patients with resistant hypertension who have exhausted all other available medical management options., (Copyright © 2014 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We updated the evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis, assessment, prevention, and treatment of hypertension in adults for 2013. This year's update includes 2 new recommendations. First, among nonhypertensive or stage 1 hypertensive individuals, the use of resistance or weight training exercise does not adversely influence blood pressure (BP) (Grade D). Thus, such patients need not avoid this type of exercise for fear of increasing BP. Second, and separately, for very elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension (age 80 years or older), the target for systolic BP should be < 150 mm Hg (Grade C) rather than < 140 mm Hg as recommended for younger patients. We also discuss 2 additional topics at length (the pharmacological treatment of mild hypertension and the possibility of a diastolic J curve in hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease). In light of several methodological limitations, a recent systematic review of 4 trials in patients with stage 1 uncomplicated hypertension did not lead to changes in management recommendations. In addition, because of a lack of prospective randomized data assessing diastolic BP thresholds in patients with coronary artery disease and hypertension, no recommendation to set a selective diastolic cut point for such patients could be affirmed. However, both of these issues will be examined on an ongoing basis, in particular as new evidence emerges., (Copyright © 2013 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This article provides the scientific rationale and background information for the Canadian Hypertension Education Program's 2012 recommendations for the management of hypertension. It also summarizes the key new recommendations and the theme for 2012, which is the prevention of hypertension. The full recommendations are available at www.hypertension.ca.

We updated the evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis, assessment, prevention, and treatment of hypertension in adults for 2012. The new recommendations are: (1) use of home blood pressure monitoring to confirm a diagnosis of white coat syndrome; (2) mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists may be used in selected patients with hypertension and systolic heart failure; (3) a history of atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertension should not be a factor in deciding to prescribe an angiotensin-receptor blocker for the treatment of hypertension; and (4) the blood pressure target for patients with nondiabetic chronic kidney disease has now been changed to < 140/90 mm Hg from < 130/80 mm Hg. We also reviewed the recent evidence on blood pressure targets for patients with hypertension and diabetes and continue to recommend a blood pressure target of less than 130/80 mm Hg., (Copyright © 2012 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Increased blood pressure is a leading risk for premature death and disability. The causes of increased blood pressure are intuitive and well known. However, the fundamental basis and means for improving blood pressure control are highly integrated into our complex societal structure both inside and outside our health system and hence require a comprehensive discussion of the pathway forward. A group of Canadian experts was appointed by Hypertension Canada with funding from Public Health Agency of Canada and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Institute for Health Research (HSFC-CIHR) Chair in Hypertension Prevention and Control to draft a discussion Framework for prevention and control of hypertension. The report includes an environmental scan of past and current activities, proposals for key indicators, and targets to be achieved by 2020, and what changes are likely to be required in Canada to achieve the proposed targets. The key targets are to reduce the prevalence of hypertension to 13% of adults and improve control to 78% of those with hypertension. Broad changes in government policy, research, and health services delivery are required for these changes to occur. The Hypertension Framework process is designed to have 3 phases. The first includes the experts' report which is summarized in this report. The second phase is to gather input and priorities for action from individuals and organizations for revision of the Framework. It is hoped the Framework will stimulate discussion and input for its full intended lifespan 2011-2020. The third phase is to work with individuals and organizations on the priorities set in phase 2., (Copyright © 2012 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We updated the evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis, assessment, prevention, and treatment of hypertension in adults for 2011. The major guideline changes this year are: (1) a recommendation was made for using comparative risk analogies when communicating a patient's cardiovascular risk; (2) diagnostic testing issues for renal artery stenosis were discussed; (3) recommendations were added for the management of hypertension during the acute phase of stroke; (4) people with hypertension and diabetes are now considered high risk for cardiovascular events if they have elevated urinary albumin excretion, overt kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, or the presence of other cardiovascular risk factors; (5) the combination of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (CCB) is preferred over the combination of an ACE inhibitor and a thiazide diuretic in persons with diabetes and hypertension; and (6) a recommendation was made to coordinate with pharmacists to improve antihypertensive medication adherence. We also discussed the recent analyses that examined the association between angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and cancer., (Copyright © 2011 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This is a summary of the theme, key new recommendations, and supporting science of the 2011 Canadian Hypertension Education Program (CHEP). In 2011, the ACCORD trial challenged current blood pressure treatment targets for people with diabetes. After consideration of multiple factors relating to the ACCORD trial design and its reporting, the current treatment target of <130/80 mm Hg was not changed. A meta-analysis implicated angiotensin receptor blockers in causing cancer; however, weaknesses in the meta-analysis and ongoing close scrutiny of the issue by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration precluded any changes in current CHEP recommendations. New expert opinion-based recommendations were added to assist the management of hypertension in the setting of acute stroke. To promote healthier blood pressure in Canadians, CHEP emphasizes the need for all Canadians-in particular, health care professionals and their organizations-to more actively work with different levels of government to implement healthy public policies. These should build community capacity to promote healthy behaviours with the goal of the prevention of hypertension and its consequences. To aid a substantive knowledge translation gap, health care professionals and people with hypertension can now receive regular CHEP updates by signing up at the Web sites htnupdate.ca and www.myBPsite.ca., (Copyright © 2011 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To provide updated, evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and assessment of adults with hypertension., Evidence: MEDLINE searches were conducted from November 2008 to October 2009 with the aid of a medical librarian. Reference lists were scanned, experts were contacted, and the personal files of authors and subgroup members were used to identify additional studies. Content and methodological experts assessed studies using prespecified, standardized evidence-based algorithms. Recommendations were based on evidence from peer-reviewed full-text articles only., Recommendations: Recommendations for blood pressure measurement, criteria for hypertension diagnosis and follow-up, assessment of global cardiovascular risk, diagnostic testing, diagnosis of renovascular and endocrine causes of hypertension, home and ambulatory monitoring, and the use of echocardiography in hypertensive individuals are outlined. Changes to the recommendations for 2010 relate to automated office blood pressure measurements. Automated office blood pressure measurements can be used in the assessment of office blood pressure. When used under proper conditions, an automated office systolic blood pressure of 135 mmHg or higher or diastolic blood pressure of 85 mmHg or higher should be considered analogous to a mean awake ambulatory systolic blood pressure of 135 mmHg or higher and diastolic blood pressure of 85 mmHg or higher, respectively., Validation: All recommendations were graded according to strength of the evidence and voted on by the 63 members of the Canadian Hypertension Education Program Evidence-Based Recommendations Task Force. To be approved, all recommendations were required to be supported by at least 70% of task force members. These guidelines will continue to be updated annually.

Objective: To update the evidence-based recommendations for the prevention and treatment of hypertension in adults for 2010., Options and Outcomes: For lifestyle and pharmacological interventions, randomized trials and systematic reviews of trials were preferentially reviewed. Changes in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality were the primary outcomes of interest. However, for lifestyle interventions, blood pressure lowering was accepted as a primary outcome given the general lack of long-term morbidity and mortality data in this field. Progressive renal impairment was also accepted as a clinically relevant primary outcome among patients with chronic kidney disease., Evidence: A Cochrane Collaboration librarian conducted an independent MEDLINE search from 2008 to August 2009 to update the 2009 recommendations. To identify additional studies, reference lists were reviewed and experts were contacted. All relevant articles were reviewed and appraised independently by both content and methodological experts using prespecified levels of evidence., Recommendations: For lifestyle modifications to prevent and treat hypertension, restrict dietary sodium to 1500 mg (65 mmol) per day in adults 50 years of age or younger, to 1300 mg (57 mmol) per day in adults 51 to 70 years of age, and to 1200 mg (52 mmol) per day in adults older than 70 years of age; perform 30 min to 60 min of moderate aerobic exercise four to seven days per week; maintain a healthy body weight (body mass index 18.5 kg/m(2) to 24.9 kg/m(2)) and waist circumference (less than 102 cm for men and less than 88 cm for women); limit alcohol consumption to no more than 14 standard drinks per week for men or nine standard drinks per week for women; follow a diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products, dietary and soluble fibre, whole grains and protein from plant sources, and that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol; and consider stress management in selected individuals with hypertension. For the pharmacological management of hypertension, treatment thresholds and targets should be predicated on the patient's global atherosclerotic risk, target organ damage and comorbid conditions. Blood pressure should be decreased to less than 140/90 mmHg in all patients, and to less than 130/80 mmHg in patients with diabetes mellitus or chronic kidney disease. Most patients will require more than one agent to achieve these target blood pressures. Antihypertensive therapy should be considered in all adult patients regardless of age (caution should be exercised in elderly patients who are frail). For adults without compelling indications for other agents, considerations for initial therapy should include thiazide diuretics, angiotensin- converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (in patients who are not black), long-acting calcium channel blockers (CCBs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) or beta-blockers (in those younger than 60 years of age). A combination of two first-line agents may also be considered as initial treatment of hypertension if systolic blood pressure is 20 mmHg above target or if diastolic blood pressure is 10 mmHg above target. The combination of ACE inhibitors and ARBs should not be used, unless compelling indications are present to suggest consideration of dual therapy. Agents appropriate for first-line therapy for isolated systolic hypertension include thiazide diuretics, long-acting dihydropyridine CCBs or ARBs. In patients with coronary artery disease, ACE inhibitors, ARBs or betablockers are recommended as first-line therapy; in patients with cerebrovascular disease, an ACE inhibitor/diuretic combination is preferred; in patients with proteinuric nondiabetic chronic kidney disease, ACE inhibitors or ARBs (if intolerant to ACE inhibitors) are recommended; and in patients with diabetes mellitus, ACE inhibitors or ARBs (or, in patients without albuminuria, thiazides or dihydropyridine CCBs) are appropriate first-line therapies. In selected high-risk patients in whom combination therapy is being considered, an ACE inhibitor plus a long-acting dihydropyridine CCB is preferable to an ACE inhibitor plus a thiazide diuretic. All hypertensive patients with dyslipidemia should be treated using the thresholds, targets and agents outlined in the Canadian lipid treatment guidelines. Selected patients with hypertension who do not achieve thresholds for statin therapy, but who are otherwise at high risk for cardiovascular events, should nonetheless receive statin therapy. Once blood pressure is controlled, low-dose acetylsalicylic acid therapy should be considered., Validation: All recommendations were graded according to the strength of the evidence and voted on by the 63 members of the Canadian Hypertension Education Program Evidence-Based Recommendations Task Force. All recommendations reported here achieved at least 80% consensus. These guidelines will continue to be updated annually., Sponsors: The Canadian Hypertension Education Program process is sponsored by the Canadian Hypertension Society, Blood Pressure Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the Canadian Pharmacists Association, the Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

The present article is a summary of the theme, the key recommendations for management of hypertension and the supporting clinical evidence of the 2010 Canadian Hypertension Education Program (CHEP). In 2010, CHEP emphasizes the need for health care professionals to stay informed about hypertension through automated updates at www.htnupdate.ca. A new interactive Internet-based lecture series will be available in 2010 and a program to train community hypertension leaders will be expanded. Patients can also sign up to receive regular updates in a pilot program at www.myBPsite.ca. In 2010, the new recommendations include consideration for using automated office blood pressure monitors, new targets for dietary sodium for the prevention and treatment of hypertension that are aligned with the national adequate intake values, and recommendations for considering treatment of selected hypertensive patients at high risk with calcium channel blocker/angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor combinations and the use of angiotensin receptor blockers.

Objectives: To follow blood pressure change over time in participants who had participated in a 1- year chronic disease management program focused on blood pressure reduction. The expectation was that blood pressure would return back to the baseline once the study was completed., Study Design: Prospective, single-arm observational study., Methods: Study participants were Status Indians living on-reserve with type 2 diabetes and persistent hypertension who had participated in the DREAM3 study. Blood pressure was measured with the BpTRU automated device every 6 months for 2 years. The primary endpoint was the change in systolic blood pressure over the follow-up period., Results: Sixty of the original 96 participants agreed to participate in the follow-up. Mean blood pressure at the beginning of the follow-up was 130/76 (SD 18/12) mmHg. Mean blood pressure at the end of the follow-up period was 132/76 (17/9 SD) mmHg. Target blood pressure (<130/80 mmHg) was present in 53%. The 99% confidence limit around change of blood pressure over the 24 months of follow-up was +/-4.7 mmHg., Conclusions: Contrary to expectations, the participants maintained their blood pressure control and did not revert to baseline levels. Community awareness and engagement resulting from the chronic disease management program led to a sustainable improvement in the health parameters of the participants and the community that lasted beyond the duration of the 1-year DREAM3 project.

The Canadian Hypertension Education Program, Blood Pressure Canada, Canadian Hypertension Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Diabetes Association, College of Family Physicians of Canada, Canadian Pharmacists Association and the Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses call on Canadian health care professionals to redouble efforts to help patients achieve treatment targets (blood pressure less than 130 mmHg systolic and less than 80 mmHg diastolic) in people with diabetes. Treatment of high blood pressure in people with diabetes results in large reductions in death and disability within a short period of time and needs to be a therapeutic priority. Achieving blood pressure targets requires sustained lifestyle modification, and three or more drugs including a diuretic are often required. Antihypertensive treatment in people with diabetes is one of the few medical treatments estimated to reduce overall health costs. The cost of treatment is less than the cost of complications prevented. Blood pressure needs to be assessed at all visits and home blood pressure assessment is encouraged. Management strategies need to include assessment and management of cardiovascular risks including smoking, unhealthy eating, physical inactivity, abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia as well as dysglycemia. The risks and benefits of acetylsalicylic acid in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease are uncertain in people with hypertension and diabetes. Intensive individualized lifestyle modification is recommended to prevent and treat hypertension, dyslipidemia, dysglycemia and other vascular risks in people with diabetes.

The present report highlights the key messages of the 2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program (CHEP) recommendations for the management of hypertension and the supporting clinical evidence. In 2009, the CHEP emphasizes the need to improve the control of hypertension in people with diabetes. Intensive reduction in blood pressure (to less than 130/80 mmHg) in people with diabetes leads to significant reductions in mortality rates, disability rates and overall health care system costs, and may lead to improved quality of life. The CHEP recommendations continue to emphasize the important role of patient self-efficacy by promoting lifestyle changes to prevent and control hypertension, and encouraging home measurement of blood pressure. Unfortunately, most Canadians make only minor changes in lifestyle after a diagnosis of hypertension. Routine blood pressure measurement at all appropriate visits, and screening for and management of all cardiovascular risks are key to blood pressure management. Many young hypertensive Canadians with multiple cardiovascular risks are not treated with antihypertensive drugs. This is despite the evidence that individuals with multiple cardiovascular risks and hypertension should be strongly considered for antihypertensive drug therapy regardless of age. In 2009, the CHEP specifically recommends not to combine an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor with an angiotensin receptor blocker in people with uncomplicated hypertension, diabetes (without micro- or macroalbuminuria), chronic kidney disease (without nephropathy [micro- or overt proteinuria]) or ischemic heart disease (without heart failure).

Objective: To provide updated, evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and assessment of adults with hypertension., Options and Outcomes: The diagnosis of hypertension is dependent on appropriate blood pressure measurement, the timely assessment of serially elevated readings, the degree of blood pressure elevation, the method of measurement (office, ambulatory, home) and associated comorbidities. The presence of cardiovascular risk factors and target organ damage should be ascertained to assess global cardiovascular risk and determine the urgency, intensity and type of treatment required., Evidence: MEDLINE searches were conducted from November 2007 to October 2008 with the aid of a medical librarian. Reference lists were scanned, experts were contacted, and the personal files of authors and subgroup members were used to identify additional studies. Content and methodological experts assessed studies using prespecified, standardized evidence-based algorithms. Recommendations were based on evidence from peer-reviewed full-text articles only., Recommendations: Recommendations for blood pressure measurement, criteria for hypertension diagnosis and follow-up, assessment of global cardiovascular risk, diagnostic testing, diagnosis of renovascular and endocrine causes of hypertension, home and ambulatory monitoring, and the use of echocardiography in hypertensive individuals are outlined. Key messages include continued emphasis on the expedited, accurate diagnosis of hypertension, the importance of global risk assessment and the need for ongoing monitoring of hypertensive patients to identify incident type 2 diabetes., Validation: All recommendations were graded according to strength of the evidence and voted on by the 57 members of the Canadian Hypertension Education Program Evidence-Based Recommendations Task Force. All recommendations were required to be supported by at least 70% of task force members. These guidelines will continue to be updated annually.

For the first time, the Canadian Hypertension Education Program has studied the evidence supporting blood pressure control in people requiring renal replacement therapy for end-stage kidney disease, including those on dialysis and with renal transplants. According to the Canadian Organ Replacement Registry's 2008 annual report, there were an estimated 33,832 people with end-stage renal disease in Canada at the end of 2006, an increase of 69.7% since 1997. Of these, 20,465 were on dialysis and 13,367 were living with a functioning kidney transplant. Thus, it is becoming more likely that primary care practitioners will be helping to care for these complex patients. With the lack of large controlled clinical trials, the consensus recommendation based on interpretation of the existing literature is that blood pressure should be lowered to below 140/90 mmHg in hypertensive patients on renal replacement therapy and to below 130/80 mmHg for renal transplant patients with diabetes or chronic kidney disease.

Objective: To update the evidence-based recommendations for the prevention and management of hypertension in adults for 2009., Options and Outcomes: For lifestyle and pharmacological interventions, evidence from randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews of trials was preferentially reviewed. Changes in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality were the primary outcomes of interest. However, for lifestyle interventions, blood pressure lowering was accepted as a primary outcome given the lack of long-term morbidity and mortality data in this field. Progression of kidney dysfunction was also accepted as a clinically relevant primary outcome among patients with chronic kidney disease., Evidence: A Cochrane collaboration librarian conducted an independent MEDLINE search from 2007 to August 2008 to update the 2008 recommendations. To identify additional published studies, reference lists were reviewed and experts were contacted. All relevant articles were reviewed and appraised independently by both content and methodological experts using prespecified levels of evidence., Recommendations: For lifestyle modifications to prevent and treat hypertension, restrict dietary sodium to less than 2300 mg (100 mmol)/day (and 1500 mg to 2300 mg [65 mmol to 100 mmol]/day in hypertensive patients); perform 30 min to 60 min of aerobic exercise four to seven days per week; maintain a healthy body weight (body mass index 18.5 kg/m(2) to 24.9 kg/m(2)) and waist circumference (smaller than 102 cm for men and smaller than 88 cm for women); limit alcohol consumption to no more than 14 units per week in men or nine units per week in women; follow a diet that is reduced in saturated fat and cholesterol, and that emphasizes fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products, dietary and soluble fibre, whole grains and protein from plant sources; and consider stress management in selected individuals with hypertension. For the pharmacological management of hypertension, treatment thresholds and targets should be predicated on by the patient's global atherosclerotic risk, target organ damage and comorbid conditions. Blood pressure should be decreased to lower than 140/90 mmHg in all patients, and to lower than 130/80 mmHg in those with diabetes mellitus or chronic kidney disease. Most patients will require more than one agent to achieve these target blood pressures. Antihypertensive therapy should be considered in all adult patients regardless of age (caution should be exercised in elderly patients who are frail). For adults without compelling indications for other agents, initial therapy should include thiazide diuretics. Other agents appropriate for first-line therapy for diastolic and/or systolic hypertension include angiotensin- converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (in patients who are not black), long-acting calcium channel blockers (CCBs), angiotensin receptor antagonists (ARBs) or beta-blockers (in those younger than 60 years of age). A combination of two first-line agents may also be considered as the initial treatment of hypertension if the systolic blood pressure is 20 mmHg above the target or if the diastolic blood pressure is 10 mmHg above the target. The combination of ACE inhibitors and ARBs should not be used. Other agents appropriate for first-line therapy for isolated systolic hypertension include long- acting dihydropyridine CCBs or ARBs. In patients with angina, recent myocardial infarction or heart failure, beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors are recommended as first-line therapy; in patients with cerebrovascular disease, an ACE inhibitor/diuretic combination is preferred; in patients with proteinuric nondiabetic chronic kidney disease, ACE inhibitors or ARBs (if intolerant to ACE inhibitors) are recommended; and in patients with diabetes mellitus, ACE inhibitors or ARBs (or, in patients without albuminuria, thiazides or dihydropyridine CCBs) are appropriate first-line therapies. All hypertensive patients with dyslipidemia should be treated using the thresholds, targets and agents outlined in the Canadian Cardiovascular Society position statement (recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease). Selected high-risk patients with hypertension who do not achieve thresholds for statin therapy according to the position paper should nonetheless receive statin therapy. Once blood pressure is controlled, acetylsalicylic acid therapy should be considered., Validation: All recommendations were graded according to strength of the evidence and voted on by the 57 members of the Canadian Hypertension Education Program Evidence-Based Recommendations Task Force. All recommendations reported here achieved at least 95% consensus. These guidelines will continue to be updated annually.

Objective: To update the evidence-based recommendations for the prevention and management of hypertension in adults., Options and Outcomes: For lifestyle and pharmacological interventions, evidence was preferentially reviewed from randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews of trials. Changes in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality were the primary outcomes of interest. However, for lifestyle interventions, blood pressure lowering was accepted as a primary outcome given the lack of long-term morbidity and mortality data in this field. Progression of kidney dysfunction was also accepted as a clinically relevant primary outcome among patients with chronic kidney disease., Evidence: A Cochrane collaboration librarian conducted an independent MEDLINE search from 2006 to August 2007 to update the 2007 recommendations. To identify additional published studies, reference lists were reviewed and experts were contacted. All relevant articles were reviewed and appraised independently by content and methodological experts using prespecified levels of evidence., Recommendations: For lifestyle modifications to prevent and treat hypertension, restrict dietary sodium intake to less than 100 mmol/day (and 65 mmol/day to 100 mmol/day in hypertensive patients); perform 30 min to 60 min of aerobic exercise four to seven days per week; maintain a healthy body weight (body mass index 18.5 kg/m(2) to 24.9 kg/m(2)) and waist circumference (smaller than 102 cm for men and smaller than 88 cm for women); limit alcohol consumption to no more than 14 units per week in men or nine units per week in women; follow a diet that is reduced in saturated fat and cholesterol, and one that emphasizes fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products, dietary and soluble fibre, whole grains and protein from plant sources; and consider stress management in selected individuals with hypertension. For the pharmacological management of hypertension, treatment thresholds and targets should be predicated on by the patient's global atherosclerotic risk, target organ damage and comorbid conditions. Blood pressure should be decreased to lower than 140/90 mmHg in all patients, and to lower than 130/80 mmHg in those with diabetes mellitus or chronic kidney disease. Most patients will require more than one agent to achieve these target blood pressures. For adults without compelling indications for other agents, initial therapy should include thiazide diuretics. Other agents appropriate for first-line therapy for diastolic and/or systolic hypertension include angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (in nonblack patients), long-acting calcium channel blockers (CCBs), angiotensin receptor antagonists (ARBs) or beta-blockers (in those younger than 60 years of age). A combination of two first-line agents may also be considered for initial treatment of hypertension if systolic blood pressure is 20 mmHg above target or if diastolic blood pressure is 10 mmHg above target. Other agents appropriate for first-line therapy for isolated systolic hypertension include long-acting dihydropyridine CCBs or ARBs. In patients with angina, recent myocardial infarction or heart failure, beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors are recommended as first-line therapy; in patients with cerebrovascular disease, an ACE inhibitor/diuretic combination is preferred; in patients with proteinuric nondiabetic chronic kidney disease, ACE inhibitors are recommended; and in patients with diabetes mellitus, ACE inhibitors or ARBs (or, in patients without albuminuria, thiazides or dihydropyridine CCBs) are appropriate first-line therapies. All hypertensive patients with dyslipidemia should be treated using the thresholds, targets and agents outlined in the Canadian Cardiovascular Society position statement (recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease). Selected high-risk patients with hypertension but who do not achieve thresholds for statin therapy according to the position paper should nonetheless receive statin therapy. Once blood pressure is controlled, acetylsalicylic acid therapy should be considered., Validation: All recommendations were graded according to strength of the evidence and voted on by the 57 members of the Canadian Hypertension Education Program Evidence-Based Recommendations Task Force. All recommendations reported here achieved at least 95% consensus. These guidelines will continue to be updated annually.

Objective: To provide updated, evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and assessment of adults with hypertension., Options and Outcomes: The diagnosis of hypertension is dependent on appropriate blood pressure measurement, the timely assessment of serially elevated readings, degree of blood pressure elevation, method of measurement (office, ambulatory, home) and associated comorbidities. The presence of cardiovascular risk factors and target organ damage should be ascertained to assess global cardiovascular risk and determine the urgency, intensity and type of treatment required., Evidence: MEDLINE searches were conducted from November 2006 to October 2007 with the aid of a medical librarian. Reference lists were scanned, experts were contacted, and the personal files of authors and subgroup members were used to identify additional studies. Content and methodological experts assessed studies using prespecified, standardized evidence-based algorithms. Recommendations were based on evidence from peer-reviewed, full-text articles only., Recommendations: Recommendations for blood pressure measurement, criteria for hypertension diagnosis and follow-up, assessment of global cardiovascular risk, diagnostic testing, diagnosis of renovascular and endocrine causes of hypertension, home and ambulatory monitoring, and the use of echocardiography in hypertensive individuals are outlined. Key messages in 2008 include continued emphasis on the expedited, accurate diagnosis of hypertension, the importance of global risk assessment and the need for ongoing monitoring of hypertensive patients to identify incident type 2 diabetes., Validation: All recommendations were graded according to strength of the evidence and voted on by the 57 members of the Canadian Hypertension Education Program Evidence-Based Recommendations Task Force. All recommendations reported here received at least 70% consensus. These guidelines will continue to be updated annually.