Personally, I invite these stricter measures, because they are accompanied by solid research, logistical guidance, and useful management strategies. The definition of the diagnosis of high blood pressure and the decision-making process surrounding treatment have traditionally been quite individualized (read: all over the place). These organizations had piqued interest by declaring the release date and labeling it as 'highly anticipated.' I pooh-poohed all that drama, but upon reading through the 114-page executive summary PDF with 21 authors and almost a thousand references, I have to say, I am duly impressed. The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association certainly grabbed the attention of us busy primary care physicians with the recent release of their updated blood pressure guidelines.
