National Heart Center/Saudi Heart Association 2023 Guidelines on the Management of Hypertension

Abstract

Background Hypertension is a highly prevalent disease in Saudi Arabia with poor control rates. Updated guidelines are needed to guide the management of hypertension and improve treatment outcomes. Methodology A panel of experts representing the National Heart Center (NHC) and the Saudi Heart Association (SHA) reviewed existing evidence and formulated guidance relevant to the local population, clinical practice and the healthcare system. The recommendations were reviewed to ensure scientific and medical accuracy. Recommendations Hypertension was defined and a new classification was proposed as relevant to the Saudi population. Recommendations on diagnosis, clinical evaluation, cardiovascular assessment were detailed, along with guidance on measurement modalities and screening/follow-up. Non-pharmacological management is the first line of hypertension treatment. Pharmacological therapy should be used appropriately as needed. Treatment priority is to control blood pressure regardless of the drug class used. The choice of treatment should be tailored to the patient profile in order to achieve treatment targets and ensure patient compliance. Recommendations were provided on pharmacological options available in Saudi Arabia, as well as guidance on the treatment of special conditions. Conclusion Hypertension management should be based on appropriate screening, timely diagnosis and lifestyle changes supplemented with pharmacological therapy, as needed. Clinical management should be individualized, and careful consideration should be given to special conditions and patient groups.

Potassium-Enriched Salt Substitutes: A Review of Recommendations in Clinical Management Guidelines

“…All included specific reference to sodium reduction, with most recommending to reduce salt intake to a level between 4 and 6 g/day for the primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (Table 1). 44,46–50,52–55,57–59,62,63,65,66,68–72,74,75 Many made specific recommendations on dietary potassium intake, 9,45,46,48,51–60,62–67,70 and 4—the Chinese, European, Taiwanese, and British—made specific mention of potassium-enriched salt (Table 2). 46,52,60,63 Of those, 2 made a specific recommendation for the use thereof, 46,63 one simply mentioned the recently completed SSaSS trial (Salt Substitute and Stroke Study), 52 and one included only a warning that potassium-enriched salt should not be used in those in whom it may be contraindicated.…”

“…All included specific reference to sodium reduction, with most recommending to reduce salt intake to a level between 4 and 6 g/day for the primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (Table 1). 44,[46][47][48][49][50][52][53][54][55][57][58][59]62,63,65,66,[68][69][70][71][72]74,75 Many made specific recommendations on dietary potassium intake, 9,45,46,48,[51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][62][63][64][65][66][67]70 and 4-the Chinese, European, Taiwanese, and British-made specific mention of potassium-enriched salt (Table 2). 46,52,…”

Literature Review the Effect of Mindfulness Interventions on Blood Pressure and Stress in Hypertension Patients

“…Hypertension is a prevalent non-communicable condition frequently observed in society. Hypertension, a leading contributor to illness and death, impacts around 1.2 billion individuals globally (Alhabeeb et al, 2023) (Katherine T Mills, Andrei Stefanescu, 2020). As per the World Health Organization (2011), around one billion individuals worldwide are afflicted with hypertension.…”

Prevalence and determinants of healthy dietary habits among hypertensive patients attending primary health care centers in Al-Baha City, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

“…The Saudi Hypertension Management Society guidelines (SHMS) defined hypertension as a continuous elevation of systolic blood pressure of ≥ 140 mmHg, and the diastolic blood pressure of ≥ 90 mmHg. The SHMS guidelines also recommended lifestyle modification including DASH and low sodium diet as the first step to control hypertension (9).…”