Why the study?
To summarize the most important updates, underlying evidence, and key changes in the 2026 Korean Society of Hypertension guidelines, incorporating contemporary advances in hypertension diagnosis and management.
The 2026 KSH guidelines provide updated, evidence-based recommendations for hypertension management, notably incorporating cuffless BP monitoring, new pharmacological classes, and more intensive BP targets for high-risk populations.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May inform Korean hypertension practice with revised classification and monitoring; leaves open outcome validation in broader populations.
The recently released 2026 Korean Society of Hypertension (KSH) guidelines incorporate contemporary advances in the diagnosis and management of hypertension. This highlight summarizes the most important updates, focusing on the underlying evidence and key changes, particularly the newly introduced and revised recommendations. The major additions include the incorporation of isolated diastolic hypertension into blood pressure (BP) classification, the first integration of cuffless BP devices into clinical practice, and the incorporation of a new therapy with a BP-lowering effect (angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitors, sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and aldosterone synthase inhibitors). A dose-based classification of single-pill combination therapies has been introduced to enhance treatment adherence. In addition, obesity, hypertension in young adults, hypertensive emergencies, and patient-centered care have been incorporated and emphasized. Major updates include expanded screening for primary aldosteronism, adoption of more intensive BP targets, and risk-based initiation of pharmacological therapy in individuals with prehypertension. Lifestyle recommendations have been broadened to include e-smoking cessation and mind-body practices. Furthermore, the definition and management of uncontrolled (or resistant) hypertension have been updated, and BP targets in older adults are now individualized according to frailty status and overall cardiovascular risk; intensive BP lowering to 130/80 mmHg is recommended in selected high-risk older individuals. Finally, BP management during pregnancy has also been refined to emphasize active BP control at < 140/90 mmHg and the use of out-of-office BP measurements for more accurate diagnosis. Overall, the new KSH guidelines provide a more evidence-based framework for hypertension management, with the goal of improving BP control and reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
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A 2026 study conducted a review in Hypertension. 2026 Korean Society of Hypertension guidelines was evaluated. The 2026 Korean Society of Hypertension guidelines update hypertension management by incorporating isolated diastolic hypertension, cuffless blood pressure devices, new therapies, and intensive targets.
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