What are the current guidelines for drug management in patients with renal failure?5 answersCurrent guidelines for drug management in patients with renal failure emphasize the importance of understanding how medications are influenced by decreased renal function. In conditions like multiple myeloma (MM) with renal impairment, prompt identification of the cause of renal disease is crucial for effective management, especially in acute kidney injury (AKI) cases. Additionally, in secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT), dysregulation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism due to declining renal function necessitates careful monitoring and management of drug therapies to prevent mineral, bone, and cardiovascular abnormalities. The National Kidney Foundation and Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes have recommended target ranges for serum intact PTH, serum phosphorus, and total corrected serum calcium to guide drug therapy in CKD-related Mineral and Bone Disorder (CKD-MBD). These guidelines aim to optimize treatment outcomes and reduce complications associated with renal failure.
What are the current evidence-based treatment guidelines for hypertension in the United States?4 answersThe current evidence-based treatment guidelines for hypertension in the United States recommend intensive blood pressure lowering, sodium reduction, targeted antihypertensive treatment, and appropriate screening for secondary hypertension to optimize blood pressure control and reduce the risk of target organ damage from hypertension. The guidelines suggest a blood pressure threshold to initiate pharmacological therapy, treatment targets, intervals for follow-up visits, and the best use of healthcare workers in the management of hypertension. They also provide guidance for the choice of monotherapy or dual therapy, treatment with single pill combination medications, and the use of treatment algorithms for hypertension management. The goal of these guidelines is to increase the hypertension control rate worldwide if widely implemented. The guidelines recommend a general blood pressure treatment goal of <130/80 mm Hg. They also support intensive systolic blood pressure lowering to 110-130 mmHg in older patients.
What are the current guidelines for hypertension management?4 answersCurrent guidelines for hypertension management recommend lifestyle modifications as a cornerstone of prevention and treatment. These include reducing salt intake, maintaining a healthy weight, following a balanced diet, increasing physical activity, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption. Blood pressure targets vary slightly between guidelines, with American guidelines considering a blood pressure of >130/80 mmHg as hypertension, while European guidelines have a threshold of 140/90 mmHg. However, treatment goals aim for a target blood pressure of <130/80 mmHg, regardless of comorbidities. Renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors are recommended as the initial choice of agents for patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD), while other classes of antihypertensive medications may be preferred for young or elderly patients. Guidelines also emphasize the importance of treating overall cardiovascular risk and ensuring adherence to medications and lifestyle changes.
What are the current recommendations for hypertension prevention?5 answersCurrent recommendations for hypertension prevention include the following measures: regular monitoring of blood pressure (BP) throughout the year using out-of-office BP measurements, especially home BP measurements, to evaluate seasonal variations in BP; early titration and tapering of antihypertensive medications before winter and summer; optimization of environmental factors such as room temperature and housing conditions; use of information and communication technology-based medicine to evaluate seasonal variations in BP and provide early therapeutic intervention; prompt administration of antihypertensive drugs for the prevention of complications associated with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia; adherence to guidelines for the prevention of respiratory and clotting complications in pre-eclampsia and eclampsia; maintenance of healthy behaviors including maintaining an ideal body weight, eating a healthy diet, being physically active, limiting alcohol intake, and not smoking; achievement of tight BP control through appropriate lifestyle measures and anti-hypertensive therapy.
What is the prevalence of hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease?3 answersThe prevalence of hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is high. Multiple studies have shown that hypertension is common in CKD patients and can be both a cause and consequence of the disease. In one study, the prevalence of CKD in patients with hypertension was found to be 82%. Another study reported that 46.06% of CKD patients had hypertension. Additionally, it has been noted that patients with CKD are at a higher risk for hypertension-related adverse outcomes, including cardiovascular disease. The relationship between hypertension and CKD is bidirectional, with hypertension accelerating the progression of renal disease and worsening renal failure. Therefore, the management of hypertension is particularly important in patients with CKD.
What are the official guidelines for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring?5 answersThe official guidelines for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring recommend its use as an integral part of hypertension care, alongside clinic or office blood pressure readings. The most widely used criteria for 24-hour measurements are from the American Heart Association (AHA) 2017 guidelines and the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) 2018 guidelines. The 2018 ESC/ESH guidelines recommend 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to assess hypotensive therapy, with target blood pressure values between 120/70 and 130/80 mmHg in office blood pressure measurements. The 2022 AHA pediatric ABPM guidelines have eliminated the prehypertension phenotype and blood pressure loads in ABPM interpretation criteria, reclassifying adolescents as having hypertension or normotension based on risk of target organ damage. Home blood pressure monitoring is also recommended for wide clinical application in subjects with suspected or treated hypertension, as it offers a pragmatic approach for out-of-office blood pressure evaluation. Efforts should be made to make ambulatory and home blood pressure monitoring readily available in primary care.