Quality Prescribing Guidance for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction 2026-2029
Hypertension in adults
- Hypertension in adults should be diagnosed and treated as per National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 136 guidance
- Individuals should be identified who need referred for same-day specialist review as per NICE 136 guidance
- People with hypertension should be advised to reduce their salt intake as much as possible to lower blood pressure
- When choosing an antihypertensive medication, the individual should be part of the decision-making. Discuss individual cardiovascular disease risk and the individual’s preferences for treatment, including no treatment, and explain the risks and benefits before starting antihypertensive drug treatment
- A suitable algorithm such as NICE or the British and Irish Hypertension Society (BIHS) adult hypertension referral pathway for therapeutic management should be utilised when choosing an antihypertensive medication considering the individual's age, family origins and co-morbidities
- Clinical judgement and shared decision-making should be used when prescribing in individuals with frailty or multimorbidity