Issue date: August 2011
Hypertension
Clinical management of primary hypertension in adults
This updates and replaces NICE clinical guideline 34
Quick reference guide
NICE clinical guideline 127
Developed by the Newcastle Guideline Development and Research Unit and
updated by the National Clinical Guideline Centre (formerly the National
Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions) and the British Hypertension Society
NICE clinical guideline 127 Quick reference guide2
Hypertension
About this booklet
This is a quick reference guide that summarises the recommendations NICE has made to the NHS in
‘Hypertension: clinical management of primary hypertension in adults’ (NICE clinical guideline 127).
This guidance updates and replaces NICE clinical guideline 34 (published June 2006).
Who wrote the guideline?
The original guideline was developed by the Newcastle Guideline Development and Research Unit
and published in 2004. The guideline was updated by the National Clinical Guideline Centre (NCGC)
(formerly the National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions) in collaboration with the British
Hypertension Society (BHS) in 2006 and 2011.
Recommendations from the original 2004 guideline are marked with footnotes. All other
recommendations were developed by the NCGC in collaboration with the BHS for the 2006 and
2011 updated guidelines.
Person-centred care
Treatment and care should take into account people’s individual needs and preferences. Good
communication is essential, supported by evidence-based information, to allow people to reach
informed decisions about their care. Follow advice on seeking consent from the Department of
Health or Welsh Government if needed. If the person agrees, families and carers should have the
opportunity to be involved in decisions about treatment and care.
NICE clinical guidelines are recommendations about the treatment and care of people with specific
diseases and conditions in the NHS in England and Wales.
This guidance represents the view of NICE, which was arrived at after careful consideration of
the evidence available. Healthcare professionals are expected to take it fully into account when
exercising their clinical judgement. However, the guidance does not override the individual
responsibility of healthcare professionals to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of
the individual patient, in consultation with the patient and/or guardian or carer, and informed by
the summary of product characteristics of any drugs they are considering.
Implementation of this guidance is the responsibility of local commissioners and/or providers.
Commissioners and providers are reminded that it is their responsibility to implement the guidance,
in their local context, in light of their duties to avoid unlawful discrimination and to have regard to
promoting equality of opportunity. Nothing in this guidance should be interpreted in a way that
would be inconsistent with compliance with those duties.
Quick reference guideNICE clinical guideline 127
Hypertension
Contents/Introduction/Definitions
3
Contents
Introduction 3
Definitions used in this booklet 3
Key priorities for implementation 4
Care pathway for hypertension 6
Measuring blood pressure 7
Diagnosing hypertension 8
Assessing cardiovascular risk and 10
target organ damage 12
Lifestyle interventions 10
Antihypertensive drug treatment 11
Patient education and adherence to treatment 14
Further information 15
Introduction
Hypertension is one of the most important preventable causes of premature morbidity and mortality
in the UK, and its management is one of the most common interventions in primary care. This
guideline contains new and updated recommendations on blood pressure measurement, the use
of ambulatory and home blood pressure monitoring, blood pressure targets and antihypertensive
drug treatment.
Definitions used in this booklet
Stage 1 hypertension Clinic blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or higher and subsequent ambulatory
blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) daytime average or home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM)
average blood pressure is 135/85 mmHg or higher.
Stage 2 hypertension Clinic blood pressure is 160/100 mmHg or higher and subsequent ABPM
daytime average or HBPM average blood pressure is 150/95 mmHg or higher.
Severe hypertension Clinic systolic blood pressure is 180 mmHg or higher, or clinic diastolic blood
pressure is 110 mmHg or higher.
NICE clinical guideline 127 Quick reference guide4
Hypertension
Key priorities for implementation
Diagnosing hypertension
●
If the clinic blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or higher, offer ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
(ABPM) to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension.
●
When using ABPM to confirm a diagnosis of hypertension, ensure that at least two measurements
per hour are taken during the person’s usual waking hours (for example, between 08:00 and 22:00).
Use the average value of at least 14 measurements taken during the person’s usual waking hours
to confirm a diagnosis of hypertension.
●
When using home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) to confirm a diagnosis of hypertension,
ensure that:
− for each blood pressure recording, two consecutive measurements are taken, at least 1 minute
apart and with the person seated and
− blood pressure is recorded twice daily, ideally in the morning and evening and
− blood pressure recording continues for at least 4 days, ideally for 7 days.
Discard the measurements taken on the first day and use the average value of all the remaining
measurements to confirm a diagnosis of hypertension.
Initiating and monitoring antihypertensive drug treatment, including blood
pressure targets
Initiating treatment
●
Offer antihypertensive drug treatment to people aged under 80 years with stage 1 hypertension
who have one or more of the following:
− target organ damage
− established cardiovascular disease
− renal disease
− diabetes
− a 10-year cardiovascular risk equivalent to 20% or greater.
●
Offer antihypertensive drug treatment to people of any age with stage 2 hypertension.
●
For people aged under 40 years with stage 1 hypertension and no evidence of target organ
damage, cardiovascular disease, renal disease or diabetes, consider seeking specialist evaluation
of secondary causes of hypertension and a more detailed assessment of potential target organ
damage. This is because 10-year cardiovascular risk assessments can underestimate the lifetime risk
of cardiovascular events in these people.
Monitoring treatment and blood pressure targets
●
For people identified as having a ‘white-coat effect’
1
, consider ABPM or HBPM as an adjunct to
clinic blood pressure measurements to monitor the response to antihypertensive treatment with
lifestyle modification or drugs.
Continued
Key priorities for implementation
1
A discrepancy of more than 20/10 mmHg between clinic and average daytime ABPM or average HBPM blood pressure
measurements at the time of diagnosis.
Quick reference guideNICE clinical guideline 127
Hypertension
5
Key priorities for implementation
2
At the time of publication (August 2011), spironolactone did not have a UK marketing authorisation for this indication.
Informed consent should be obtained and documented.
Choosing antihypertensive drug treatment
●
Offer people aged 80 years and over the same antihypertensive drug treatment as people aged
55–80 years, taking into account any comorbidities.
Step 1 treatment
●
Offer step 1 antihypertensive treatment with a calcium-channel blocker (CCB) to people aged
over 55 years and to black people of African or Caribbean family origin of any age. If a CCB is
not suitable, for example because of oedema or intolerance, or if there is evidence of heart failure
or a high risk of heart failure, offer a thiazide-like diuretic.
●
If a diuretic treatment is to be initiated or changed, offer a thiazide-like diuretic, such as
chlortalidone (12.5–25.0 mg once daily) or indapamide (1.5 mg modified-release or 2.5 mg once
daily) in preference to a conventional thiazide diuretic such as bendroflumethiazide or
hydrochlorothiazide.
●
For people who are already having treatment with bendroflumethiazide or hydrochlorothiazide
and whose blood pressure is stable and well controlled, continue treatment with the
bendroflumethiazide or hydrochlorothiazide.
Step 4 treatment
●
For treatment of resistant hypertension at step 4:
− Consider further diuretic therapy with low-dose spironolactone (25 mg once daily)
2
if the
blood potassium level is 4.5 mmol/l or lower. Use particular caution in people with a reduced
estimated glomerular filtration rate because they have an increased risk of hyperkalaemia.
− Consider higher-dose thiazide-like diuretic treatment if the blood potassium level is higher
than 4.5 mmol/l.
Key priorities for implementation continued
NICE clinical guideline 127 Quick reference guide6
Hypertension
Care pathway for hypertension
3
Signs of papilloedema or retinal haemorrhage.
4
Labile or postural hypotension, headache, palpitations, pallor and diaphoresis.
5
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.
6
Home blood pressure monitoring.
Care pathway for hypertension
Refer same
day for
specialist
care
Offer to check blood
pressure at least every
5 years (see page 9)
Offer annual review of care (see page 14)
Offer lifestyle interventions (see page 10)
Offer patient education and interventions to support
adherence to treatment (see page 14)
Consider alternative
causes for target
organ damage
(see page 9)
Offer to assess cardiovascular risk and
target organ damage (see page 8)
If accelerated
hypertension
3
or suspected
phaeochromocytoma
4
If evidence
of target
organ
damage
If target organ
damage present
or 10-year
cardiovascular
risk > 20%
If younger than
40 years
Clinic blood pressure
≥ 180/110 mmHg
(see page 8)
Consider starting
antihypertensive drug
treatment immediately
(see page 8)
Clinic blood pressure
≥ 140/90 mmHg
(see page 8)
Offer ABPM
5
(or HBPM
6
if ABPM is
declined or not tolerated) (see page 8)
Consider
specialist referral
(see page 10)
ABPM/HBPM
< 135/85 mmHg
Normotensive
ABPM/HBPM
≥ 150/95 mmHg
Stage 2 hypertension
ABPM/HBPM
≥ 135/85 mmHg
Stage 1 hypertension
Offer antihypertensive drug
treatment (see pages 11–14)
Clinic blood pressure
< 140/90 mmHg
(see page 8)
Normotensive
Quick reference guideNICE clinical guideline 127
Hypertension
Measuring blood pressure
7
●
Healthcare professionals taking blood pressure measurements need adequate initial training and
should have their performance reviewed periodically
7
.
●
Devices for measuring blood pressure must be properly validated, maintained and regularly
recalibrated according to manufacturers’ instructions
7
.
●
If using an automated blood pressure monitoring device, ensure that the device is validated
8
and an
appropriate cuff size for the person’s arm is used.
●
When measuring blood pressure in the clinic or in the home, standardise the environment and
provide a relaxed, temperate setting, with the person quiet and seated, and their arm outstretched
and supported.
●
Palpate the radial or brachial pulse before measuring blood pressure, since automated devices may
not measure blood pressure accurately if there is pulse irregularity (for example, due to atrial
fibrillation). If pulse irregularity is present, measure blood pressure manually, using direct auscultation
over the brachial artery.
Measuring blood pressure
Postural hypotension
●
In people with symptoms of postural hypotension (falls or postural dizziness):
− measure blood pressure with the person either supine or seated
− measure blood pressure again with the person standing for at least 1 minute prior
to measurement.
●
If the systolic blood pressure falls by 20 mmHg or more when the person is standing:
− review medication
− measure subsequent blood pressures with the person standing
− consider referral to specialist care if symptoms of postural hypotension persist.
7
This recommendation was developed for the original 2004 guideline.
8
A list of validated blood pressure monitoring devices is available on the British Hypertension Society’s website
(see www.bhsoc.org). The British Hypertension Society is an independent reviewer of published work. This does not imply
any endorsement by NICE.
NICE clinical guideline 127 Quick reference guide8
Hypertension
Diagnosing hypertension
Measuring the clinic blood pressure
●
Measure blood pressure in both arms.
− If the difference in readings between arms is more than 20 mmHg, repeat the measurements.
− If the difference in readings between arms remains more than 20 mmHg on the second
measurement, measure subsequent blood pressures in the arm with the higher reading.
●
If blood pressure measured in the clinic is 140/90 mmHg or higher:
− Take a second measurement during the consultation.
− If the second measurement is substantially different from the first, take a third measurement.
Record the lower of the last two measurements as the clinic blood pressure.
Confirming the diagnosis
●
If the clinic blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or higher, offer ABPM to confirm the diagnosis
of hypertension.
●
If a person is unable to tolerate ABPM, HBPM is a suitable alternative to confirm the diagnosis
of hypertension.
●
While waiting to confirm the diagnosis, carry out investigations for target organ damage and a
formal assessment of cardiovascular risk (see page 10).
Diagnosing hypertension
Severe hypertension
●
Consider starting antihypertensive drug treatment immediately, without waiting for the results of
ABPM or HBPM, for people with severe hypertension.
Specialist investigations
●
Refer people to specialist care the same day if they have:
− accelerated hypertension (blood pressure usually higher than 180/110 mmHg with signs of
papilloedema and/or retinal haemorrhage) or
− suspected phaeochromocytoma (labile or postural hypotension, headache, palpitations, pallor
and diaphoresis).
●
Consider the need for specialist investigations in people with signs and symptoms suggesting a
secondary cause of hypertension.
Quick reference guideNICE clinical guideline 127
Hypertension
Diagnosing hypertension
9
Using ambulatory or home blood pressure monitoring
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
●
Ensure that at least two measurements per hour are taken during the person’s usual waking hours
(for example, between 08:00 and 22:00).
●
Use the average value of at least 14 measurements taken during the person's usual waking hours
to confirm the diagnosis.
Home blood pressure monitoring
●
Ensure that:
− for each blood pressure recording, two consecutive measurements are taken, at least 1 minute
apart and with the person seated
− blood pressure is recorded twice daily, ideally in the morning and evening
− blood pressure recording continues for at least 4 days, ideally for 7 days.
●
Discard the measurements taken on the first day and use the average value of all the remaining
measurements to confirm the diagnosis.
If hypertension is not diagnosed
●
Offer to measure the person’s blood pressure at least every 5 years.
●
Consider measuring it more often than every 5 years if the person’s clinic blood pressure is close
to 140/90 mmHg.
●
If there is evidence of target organ damage such as left ventricular hypertrophy, albuminuria or
proteinuria, consider carrying out investigations for alternative causes of the target organ damage.
NICE clinical guideline 127 Quick reference guide10
Hypertension
Assessing cardiovascular risk
and target organ damage/
Lifestyle interventions
●
Use a formal estimation of cardiovascular risk to discuss prognosis and healthcare options with people
with hypertension, both for raised blood pressure and other modifiable risk factors
9,10
.
●
Estimate cardiovascular risk in line with the recommendations on Identification and assessment of
CVD risk in ‘Lipid modification’
11
.
●
Assess target organ damage
12
:
− Test for the presence of protein in the urine by sending a urine sample for estimation of the
albumin:creatinine ratio and test for haematuria using a reagent strip.
− Take a blood sample to measure plasma glucose, electrolytes, creatinine, estimated glomerular
filtration rate (eGFR), serum total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol.
− Examine the fundi for the presence of hypertensive retinopathy.
− Arrange for a 12-lead electrocardiograph to be performed.
●
For people aged under 40 with stage 1 hypertension, consider seeking specialist evaluation of
secondary causes of hypertension and a more detailed assessment of target organ damage. This is
because 10-year cardiovascular risk assessments can underestimate the lifetime risk of cardiovascular
events in these people.
9
This recommendation was developed for the original 2004 guideline.
10
Clinic blood pressure measurements must be used in the calculation of cardiovascular risk.
11
NICE clinical guideline 67 (2008), available from www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG67
12
For NICE guidance on the early identification and management of chronic kidney disease see ‘Chronic kidney disease’
(NICE clinical guideline 73, 2008), available from www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG73
13
For NICE guidance on the prevention of obesity and cardiovascular disease see ‘Obesity’ (NICE clinical guideline 43, 2006),
available from www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG43, and ‘Prevention of cardiovascular disease at population level’ (NICE public
health guidance 25, 2010), available from www.nice.org.uk/guidance/PH25
●
Lifestyle advice should be offered initially and then periodically to people undergoing assessment or
treatment for hypertension
9,13
.
●
Ask people about their diet and exercise patterns, and offer guidance and written or audiovisual
materials to promote lifestyle changes
9
.
●
Ask people about their alcohol consumption and encourage them to cut down if they drink excessively
9
.
●
Discourage excessive consumption of coffee and other caffeine-rich products
9
.
●
Encourage people to keep their salt intake low or substitute sodium salt
9
.
●
Offer people who smoke advice and help to stop smoking
9
.
●
Tell people about local initiatives (for example, run by healthcare teams or patient organisations) that
provide support and promote lifestyle change
9
.
●
Do not offer calcium, magnesium or potassium supplements as a method of reducing blood pressure
9
.
●
Relaxation therapies can reduce blood pressure and people may wish to try them. However, it is
not recommended that primary care teams provide them routinely
9
.
Lifestyle interventions
Assessing cardiovascular risk and target organ damage
Quick reference guideNICE clinical guideline 127
Hypertension
Antihypertensive drug treatment
11
General principles
●
If possible, offer drugs taken only once a day
14
.
●
Prescribe non-proprietary drugs if these are appropriate and minimise cost
14
.
●
Offer people with isolated systolic hypertension (systolic blood pressure 160 mmHg or higher)
the same treatment as people with both raised systolic and diastolic blood pressure
14
.
●
Offer people aged over 80 years the same antihypertensive drug treatment as people aged
55–80 years, taking into account any comorbidities.
●
Do not combine an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor with an angiotensin II receptor
blocker (ARB).
●
Offer antihypertensive drug treatment to women of child-bearing potential in line with the
recommendations on Management of pregnancy with chronic hypertension and Breastfeeding
in ‘Hypertension in pregnancy’
15
.
Initiating and titrating antihypertensive drug treatment
Also see the ‘Summary of antihypertensive drug treatment’ o