Impact of new hypertension guidelines on target organ damage screening in a Shanghai community-dwelling population

Recently, the 2017 ACC/AHA released new hypertension guidelines and proposed a redefinition of hypertension from 140/90 to 130/80 mm Hg. This study assesses the impact of the lower threshold for hypertension diagnosis on the association of hypertension with target organ damage (TOD). Health checks were conducted in a community-dwelling population in Shanghai in 2017 (N = 10 826; 43.26% mean, age 62 ± 12 years [range 29-95 years]). Subclinical TOD indices were quantified in terms of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) by electrocardiogram (Sokolow-Lyon standard), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and presence of proteinuria. Information on clinical TOD was obtained by questionnaire. Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) was determined by the 2013 ACC/ AHA recommended guidelines. Compared to the higher threshold (140/90 mm Hg), the lower threshold (130/80 mm Hg) was associated with variable rates of increased detection of hypertension and TOD: (a) Hypertension: incidence of hypertension, 29.5% (51.8%-81.5%) increase in persons with hypertension if the threshold of 130/80 mm Hg is used; (b) Subclinical TOD: LVH, 20.8%; eGFR (30-60 mL/min per 1.73 m²), 23.7%; proteinuria, 23.5%; (c) Clinical TOD: chronic kidney disease (CKD) IV (eGFR＜30 mL/min per 1.73 m²), 3.1%; diabetes (fasting glucose ≥7.0 mmol/L or HbA1C＞7.0%), 24.3%; stroke, 26.4%; chronic heart disease, 28.1%; acute myocardial infarction, 19.5% (69.4% to 88.9% of total of 36); ASCVD ≥10%, 29.3%. The lower threshold was associated with a significantly higher detection rate of clinical and subclinical TOD of approximately 20% compared to the higher threshold. 15%-20% of TOD and 29% of ASCVD were also found below the lower threshold of hypertension.