NICE Hypertension Guidelines

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is an independent organization that promotes good health with intervention, prevention and treatment. NICE's hypertension guidelines are developed by advisory groups made up of health professionals. The guidelines apply to primary care by a general practitioner or a nurse practitioner, but are not meant to be applied in hospitals. The mission of NICE is to provide treatment according to the individual patient's needs and preferences. Evidence-based information is shared with the patient, caregiver or relatives to allow informed decisions regarding hypertension treatment and prevention.

Priorities

• The key priorities of the NICE hypertension guidelines are to identify hypertension risks through blood pressure monitoring, offering advice and support for changes to lifestyle. It is important to identify cardiovascular risks, along with secondary diseases such as damage to the kidneys or diabetes, which can cause hypertension. Annual exams to monitor blood pressure and changes in lifestyle should be supported while symptoms are reduced.

Assessment

• NICE advises that practitioners and patients measure blood pressure on both of the patient's arms and use the higher of the two for future readings.

  Based on the NICE hypertension guidelines, patients should be referred immediately if they have accelerated hypertension more than 180/110, headaches, palpitations or changes in skin color. Secondary diseases often are the cause of these symptoms.

Tests

• Heart tests can help determine if there is an underlying condition that is causing hypertension.

  Protein in the urine can be sampled by a strip test and usually takes about 24 hours for the results to show. Other areas that are tested include blood glucose levels, phosphate levels in the muscles, and cholesterol levels. Testing in these areas help determine what the best treatment and prevention plan, which may include modifications to diet, exercise, and lifestyle.

  An electrocardiogram may also be ordered to determine the activity level of the heart and help eliminate other health problems which cause hypertension.

Intervention

• Exercise can help reduce your risk of hypertension and promote cardiovascular health.

  Lifestyle changes are encouraged and can make a huge difference in your overall health. NICE guidelines offer support to promote and implement changes in alcohol consumption, smoking, diet, exercise, caffeinated products and sodium intake with guidance and suggestions from a team of experts.

Treatment

• Drug therapy can be used to reduce blood pressure to 140/90 or less. Pharmaceutical interventions such as calcium-channel blockers or thiazide-type diuretics have been shown to benefit some hypertension patients.