Joint statement offers new recommendations for treating cardiovascular conditions

the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:

A new scientific statement issued jointly by the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, and American Society of Hypertension addresses treatment goals for patients with high blood pressure who also have vascular diseases.

The statement acknowledges that a target blood pressure of less than 140/90 mm Hg is reasonable to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in the general population, a lower target of less than 130/80 mm Hg may be appropriate for some patients with heart disease who have already experienced a stroke, heart attack, or mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack [TIA]).

Additional recommendations and contraindications include which antihypertensives to use in patients with various types of heart disease. The statement also recommends lowering blood pressure slowly in patients with coronary artery blockages.

Furthermore, clinicians should not strive to lower the diastolic number to less than 60 mm Hg, especially in patients older than 60 years.

These recommendations also reiterate the importance of modifying other risk factors, including abdominal obesity, abnormal cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking.