Introduction

Chronic hypertension, also known as essential or primary hypertension, is persistent elevation in blood pressure without an identifiable secondary cause. It is an extremely common condition, affecting about 95% of patients with high blood pressure. Uncontrolled chronic hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Clinical pharmacists have an integral role in managing chronic hypertension through patient education, lifestyle modifications, selection of appropriate pharmacotherapy, and monitoring to achieve blood pressure goals. Recent controversies involve determining optimal blood pressure targets and preferred drug classes for first-line treatment. This subtopic will focus on the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment goals, lifestyle and pharmacotherapy recommendations, and monitoring considerations specifically for patients with chronic hypertension.