2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: Executive Summary

“We're excited about these guidelines. We think that they will empower clinicians. We think they'll empower adults, especially those with elevated and high blood pressure, [but] also those with normal blood pressure who want to prevent going into that elevated sphere.... We're confident that if the guideline is implemented it will improve the cardiovascular health of our adult community in the United States.”

“There's been an accumulation of evidence to suggest that lower blood pressure targets provide some benefits. However, they also carry some increased risks. In balancing the benefits and risks, the guideline writers tilted toward the more aggressive targets. That's generally reasonable for many people, but not necessarily for all.”

“While it's helpful to make people more aware of high blood pressure being important... I worry that it may cause a little bit of panic without necessarily providing the guidance on how best to manage some of the people who will be affected by these changes.”