Comparison Among Recommendations for the Management of Arterial Hypertension Issued by Last US, Canadian, British and European Guidelines

Guidelines for the management of hypertension have been issued by different hypertension societies or organizations. Despite many similarities one can identify major differences in the diagnosis, management and treatment of the hypertensive patients among ESH/ESC, NICE, Canadian and NJC8 guidelines. Differences that can be identified are in the definition of hypertension in the elderly population, the optimal blood pressure targets in different hypertensive populations such as patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease patients and the choose of the initial and appropriate antihypertensive agent depending on comorbidities of the treated population. Everyday clinical praxis physicians are confused by these differences and these incongruities contribute to doctor and patient inertia to reduce blood pressure levels at an optimal level. Community physicians cannot easily distinguish what recommendations are the best to be used for their patients. The critical view of these differences can also help the guidelines committees to make appropriate changes and finally to agree to a global view of recommendations for the management and treatment of hypertension.