of blood pressure can be diffi cult, with only one-third of
treated hypertensives having a systolic blood pressure
[SBP] that is less than 140 mm Hg.1,2
In 2003, the Joint National Committee on Prevention,
Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood
Pressure (JNC) issued its seventh report2 with guidelines
for treatment. These introduced important changes
in the categorization and defi nition of hypertension,
and recommended multiple lifestyle-based and pharmacologic
strategies for treatment. New guidelines
are expected in 2009, and to understand forthcoming
recommendations and changes, it is important to revisit
and review those of JNC 7.