HYPERTENSION (Guidelines)

TAM (Treatments and Medicines) NHS Highland
NHS Highland

Blood Pressure (BP) targets

  • essential hypertension: BP less than 140/90 mmHg
  • if chronic kidney disease (CKD): BP less than 140/90 mmHg  
  • if CKD and albuminuria (urine albumin:creatinine ratio greater than 30mg/mmol): BP less than 130/80 mmHg
  • if diabetes: BP less than 140/80 mmHg  
  • if diabetes and eye, cardiovascular or kidney damage including microalbuminuria (2 of 3 morning samples: ACR >2·5mg/mmol for males and >3·5mg/mmol for females) BP less than 130/80 mmHg.

Try to avoid systolic blood pressure below 120 mmHg: NICE and Renal.org

If BP is not controlled at each step progress to next step.

Advise all patients on lifestyle measures, eg smoking, physical activity, weight, alcohol, diet (including salt intake).

Pathway

PLEASE NOTE EMAIL: nhsh.raigmorerenal@nhs.scot

*ACE inhibitor:

  • lisinopril (start at 5mg daily, usual maintenance 20mg) or perindopril erbumine if first dose hypotension an issue (start at 2 to 4mg daily).
  • if intolerant of ACE inhibitor consider angiotensin-II receptor antagonist.
  • issue ‘Sick Day Rule’ card.
  • check U&Es 1 to 2 weeks after starting/dose increase. Monitor annually if stable.
  • avoid the combination of ACE inhibitor and angiotensin-II receptor antagonist.
  • use caution when combining ACE inhibitors or angiotensin-II receptor antagonists with spironolactone due to risk of hyperkalaemia.

Beta-blocker therapy: may be indicated as first-line therapy in ischaemic heart disease. 

Primary prevention: if diabetes or 10 year risk of CVD is 20% or more, or a strong family history of premature vascular disease, recommend lipid-regulating therapies; see Lipid lowering therapy in the prevention of atherosclerosis.

Antiplatelet drugs (aspirin and clopidogrel): use in secondary prevention only (ensure continued if vascular disease is present).

Abbreviations

Abbreviation Meaning
BP Blood Pressure
ACE inhibitor Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors
U+Es Urea and electrolytes
ACR Urine albumin to creatinine ratio 

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 31/05/2016

Next review date: 31/05/2018

Author(s): Primary Care Pharmacy.

Approved By: TAM subgroup of ADTC

Reviewer name(s): Peter Clarkson, Duncan Scott, Stewart Lambie.

Document Id: TAM134