Question

A 52-year-old man with no target organ damage attends your family practice after three properly performed office blood pressure readings over 2 months average 148/94 mm Hg. His 10-year cardiovascular risk is low and he has no diabetes or chronic kidney disease. According to current Canadian hypertension guidelines, what is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Initiate lifestyle modification and arrange home blood pressure monitoring to confirm hypertension

Answer

Immediately start dual antihypertensive therapy and target <120/70 mm Hg

Answer

Repeat office blood pressures yearly and defer any intervention

Answer

Order urgent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring only if clinic BP exceeds 180/110 mm Hg

Answer

Start an ACE inhibitor now because any BP ≥130/80 mm Hg requires drug therapy

Practice question