Table 11-1

*Table 11-1.* Classification and management of blood pressure for adults aged 18 years or older.
				Management
					Initial Drug Therapy
BP Classification	Systolic BP, mm Hg¹		Diastolic BP, mm Hg¹	Lifestyle Modification	Without Compelling Indication	With Compelling Indications²
Normal	< 120	and	< 80	Encourage
Prehypertension	120-139	or	80-89	Yes	No antihypertensive drug indicated	Drugs for the compelling indications³
Stage 1 hypertension	140-159	or	90-99	Yes	Thiazide-type diuretics for most; may consider ACE inhibitor, ARB, β-blocker, CCB, or combination	Drug(s) for the compelling indications Other antihypertensive drugs (diuretics, ACE inhibitor, ARB, β-blocker, CCB) as needed
Stage 2 hypertension	≥ 160	or	≥ 100	Yes	Two-drug combination for most (usually thiazide-type diuretic and ACE inhibitor or ARB or β-blocker or CCB)⁴	Drug(s) for the compelling indications Other antihypertensive drugs (diuretics, ACE inhibitor, ARB, β-blocker, CCB) as needed
¹Treatment determined by highest BP category. ²See Table 11-4. ³Treat patients with chronic kidney disease or diabetes to BP goal of < 130/80 mm Hg. ⁴Initial combined therapy should be used cautiously in those at risk for orthostatic hypotension. ACE = angiotensin-converting enzyme; ARB = angiotensin receptor blocker; BP = blood pressure; CCB = calcium channel blocker. From Chobanian AV et al: The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure: the JNC 7 report. JAMA 2003;289:2560.