Update in Hypertension: The Seventh Joint National Committee Report and Beyond

The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation on and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC-VII) had new key messages that need to be highlighted for practicing physicians. More than two years has elapsed since its publication and several important trials and meta-analyses were published during this period. Most of these publications supported and reinforced the JNC-VII recommendations, but others did not fully agree. Thus, some questions have arisen that need to be addressed in future research. This review will discuss what is new in JNC-VII and post-JNC-VII evidence that supports or disputes the recommendations. In addition, the results of other significant trials will be addressed. Finally, we outline the clinical “bottom line” and emphasize the practical application of this evidence.