European guidelines for hypertension in 2024: a comparison of key recommendations for clinical practice
Hypertension is the most common modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, as well as for cardiovascular and all-cause mortality worldwide. Inadequate control of high blood pressure imposes a significant burden on health-care systems across the globe. Between 2003 and 2018, the European Society of Hypertension and the European Society of Cardiology jointly issued four sets of hypertension guidelines. However, in 2023 and 2024, the two societies published separate guidelines. While both sets of European guidelines share many core recommendations, some differences have emerged.
In this Expert Recommendation, co-authored by Prof. Thomas F. Lüscher, the authors present the main areas of agreement, examine the differences in how hypertension is defined, classified, diagnosed, and treated, and aim to support health-care professionals in making informed decisions to enhance hypertension management and reduce related health outcomes and premature mortality.
Florian Wenzl