Introduction to Hypertension, the JNC 7 & the JNC 8

This narrated slideshow gives a brief overview of Hypertension & the JNC 7. It discusses both the prevalence of hypertension and the relationship between blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease. It also describes the JNC 7.

JNC 7

The Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure attempts to provide an evidence-based approach to the prevention and management of hypertension.

In 2003, the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection and Treatment of High Blood Pressure was released and is also known as JNC 7. JNC 7 recommendations are based on large scale clinic trials such as ALLHAT, EPHESUS, HOPE, PROGRESS, RENAAL, among others.

JNC 8

The Joint National Commission issued updated hypertension guidelines in December 2013 based on more rigorous evidence, and less dependence on expert opinion, than JNC 7.  JNC 8 only answers a few new questions for the primary care physician, mostly focused on hypertension treatment recommendations. Thus, JNC7 is still the final word for several elements of hypertension that JNC 8 did not address, particularly regarding screening, evaluation, diagnosis and classification of high blood pressure. The criteria for a diagnosis of hypertension are the same in JNC7 and JNC 8. This module will refer to both JNC7 and JNC 8 at different points, depending on the topic.

Question 1:

What is the definition of hypertension? (Choose the best answer)

  1. Systolic blood pressure greater than 150 or diastolic blood pressure greater than 80.
  2. Systolic blood pressure greater than 130 or diastolic blood pressure greater than 80.
  3. Systolic blood pressure greater than 140 or diastolic blood pressure greater than 80.
  4. Systolic blood pressure greater than 140 or diastolic blood pressure greater than 90.
  5. Systolic blood pressure greater than 130 or diastolic blood pressure greater than 70.


Show/hide answer

Question 2:

How many elevated blood pressure measurements do you have to get from your patient, Mary Johnson, before you can diagnose her with “hypertension”? (Choose the one best answer)

  1. One elevated measurement, on any arm, at one visit.
  2. At least two elevated measurements, one in each arm, on one visit.
  3. At least two elevated measurements, one in each arm, should be made on 2 or more visits.
  4. At least two elevated measurements, on any arm, should be made on 2 or more visits.
  5. At least two elevated measurements, one in each arm, should be made on 3 or more visits.


Show/hide answer

Screening Healthy Individuals for High Blood Pressure

According to the United States Preventive Services Task Force, high blood pressure screening in health individuals should begin at age 18 and older (USPSTF, 2007). There is insufficient evidence to recommend an optimal interval for screening adults for hypertension. The JNC 7 recommends screening every 2 years in persons with blood pressure less than 120/80 mm Hg and every year with systolic blood pressure of 120 to 139 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure of 80 to 90 mm Hg. JNC 8 did not comment on screening for hypertension.

Proper Office Blood Pressure Measurement Techniques

Narrated Slideshow of Proper Office BP Techniques


Show/hide transcript

<< Goals and Objectives

Patient Evaluation >>