[Similarity and difference between American (JNC 7) and European (2003 ESH/ESC) guidelines for management of hypertension].

The American guidelines for management of hypertension (JNC 7) and the European guidelines (2003 ESH/ESC) communicate some new moments and attitudes in the treatment of the condition. According to JNC 7, in patients belonging to the prehypertension category (systolic bp 120-139, diastolic bp 80-89), life style modifications are prescribed. The second and third degrees of hypertension have been merged (degree 2). The drugs of choice for majority of the patients, according to INC 7, are thiazide diuretics, alone or in combination with other drugs. The European guidelines have, more or less, preserved the old classification of hypertension. According to the European guidelines, the assessment of global cardiovascular risk is one of the more important factors in making the decision when to begin the therapy of hypertension. In line with the European guidelines, it is not so important which drug will be applied at the beginning of therapy because, in time, most of the patients will be receiving two or three drugs.