Hypertension (2012)

Summary of recommendations for clinicians and policy-makers

These recommendations concern screening for hypertension in adults aged 18 years and older with no prior diagnosis of hypertension. The recommendations apply to the general population, including adults with average blood pressure and those at higher-than-average risk of hypertension and vascular disease. These recommendations do not apply to individuals who have already received a confirmed diagnosis of hypertension.

Recommendations

We recommend measuring blood pressure at every appropriate primary care visit. (Strong recommendation; moderate quality evidence)

We recommend that blood pressure be measured using current techniques described in the recommendations of the Canadian Hypertension Education Program (CHEP) for in-office and out-of-office (ambulatory) blood pressure measurement. (Strong recommendation; moderate quality evidence)

For individuals whose screening reveals elevated blood pressure, CHEP criteria for the assessment and diagnosis of hypertension should be applied to determine whether the patient meets the diagnostic criteria for hypertension. (Strong recommendation; moderate quality evidence)