Updated Reasons and Clinical Implications of New Korean Hypertension Guidelines for Cardiologists

Leaving behind substantial reflections or skepticisms on the shortage of evidences about blood pressure (BP) thresholds for antihypertensive drug therapy and target BPs, major hypertensive guidelines including Korean hypertension guidelines were recently updated for earlier and more intensive control of BP. Because hypertension is one of the major risk factors for death, stroke, cardiovascular (CV) disease, heart failure, and cognitive impairment, substantial improvement of hypertension management is necessary to reduce disease and socioeconomic burdens and to promote CV health. Theoretically, earlier intervention in terms of age and BP level and thorough control of BP into within normal range would prevent or delay major adverse CV events. Revised hypertension guidelines were developed by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association, Korean Society of Hypertension, European Society of Cardiology/European Society of Hypertension, and Japanese Society of Hypertension in order. In this article, recent updates and clinical significances of the Korean hypertension guidelines will be discussed with comparison of foreign hypertension guidelines and considerable changes in the management of hypertension will be introduced for cardiologists and general practitioners.