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GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
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The definition of “hypertension” remains controversial between multiple organizations with the publications of the 2014 Evidence-Based Guideline for the Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults by the Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC-8) followed by the 2017 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) Clinical Practice Guideline for High Blood Pressure in Adults (Table 35–1). The American Academy of Family Physicians continues to support the JNC-8 recommendations after a thorough review and has chosen not to endorse the ACC/AHA guidelines. The ACC/AHA guidelines substantially increase the number of people diagnosed with hypertension, resulting in a small increase in the percentage of US adults recommended to begin antihypertensive medication as well as recommending more intensive therapy and blood pressure lowering for those already taking antihypertensive medications.
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