Summary

Blood pressure (BP) is a surrogate that is treated to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its consequences. However, outside of clinical trials, it is difficult to know how these outcomes are affected by antihypertensive therapy. Although clinical trials provide useful information, they do not give the full picture. Real-life practice is more complicated than clinical trials, but both need to be considered in managing hypertension (HTN). This article discusses the new international guidelines for the management of HTN were issued in Europe and the United States in 2013.