According to the ACC/AHA 2017 hypertension guideline, at what blood pressure threshold should antihypertensive pharmacotherapy be initiated in a 65-year-old without diabetes or known cardiovascular disease?

• A ≥130/80 mmHg ✓
• B ≥140/90 mmHg
• C ≥150/90 mmHg
• D ≥160/100 mmHg

Explanation

The ACC/AHA 2017 guideline lowered the definition of hypertension to 130/80 mmHg and recommends initiating pharmacotherapy at this threshold for primary prevention in adults without clinical cardiovascular disease, though the target remains <130/80. This differs from JNC 8 and Indian Society of Hypertension recommendations, which used a 140/90 threshold for adults under 60 and 150/90 for those 60 and older. Indian exam questions may still reference ISH cutoffs, but ACC/AHA 130/80 is frequently tested for intensive control concepts.

Reference: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21st ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.